I have watched this segment over and over for years and I just happened to have Peacock on the Unsolved Mysteries channel today and it came on.

I don't know why but I somehow get the feeling Adam was doing drugs with Tony and began having a sexual relationship with him as well. Adam was very privileged and I think for the first time in his life he actually experienced how other people not as fortunate live. My theory is that Adam was scoring drugs with Tony and they created some type of bond while high out of their minds and Adam thought he was in love.

Most of us would have given Tony a few dollars or bought him a meal and kept it moving. I think Adam was intrigued by this man or felt it was his calling to "save" him. Adam seemed like he was genuinely a very nice person and caring.

Adam's sister said that he completely changed as soon as he met Tony and he became "mystical" and she didn't know him anymore. This supports my theory about the drugs often people who begin using drugs distance themselves from people they were close to and they seem to have a change in personality.

His mother on the other hand seemed very stuck up and racist in the segment she came off very elite and out of touch with people outside of her bubble. She couldn't fathom why Adam would have anything to do with Tony "When I saw Tony and how he talked and my God the smell it was unbelievable. Wow it was scary. It was really scary".

Adam moved Tony into his apartment a few weeks after meeting him is also very telling. The fact he took his new "friend" to meet his mother also made me think they were having a sexual relationship. Adam almost was seeking some type of approval from his mother. He wanted her to like Tony. "Once you get to know him from the inside out he is really a fantastic guy". Yeah something was definitely going on.

Adam began hanging on Skid Row with Tony and staying out on the streets at night is also a clear sign of drug use. I think the Hecht family was in denial that Adam had been using drugs and was possibly homosexual. They went out of their way to spin this segment as if Adam was just a Good Samaritan. Something more was going on with Adam.

Adam was young and I wouldn't even rule out the fact he could have been dealing with the early signs of mental illness himself. Many times mental illness doesn't manifest in a young man until early to mid 20's and a lot of people experiencing the symptoms will feel the need to self medicate with drugs or alcohol prior to being formally diagnosed. The fact he was performing rituals with Tony is very interesting as well. Adam was clearly going through something.

This segment never sat right with me because I feel like the family was trying to keep up appearances and not tell the whole truth. CrystalDawn's blog post also was quite informative. Its very telling that neither the police or Adam's family think Tony had anything to do with Adam's disappearance.

It seems his family thinks that he ultimately just walked away from his life but I find that hard to believe. I think Adam's disappearance was drug related. You have this young privileged Beverly Hills man hanging with street vagrants who are most likely using drugs so its not far fetched. The fact that Adam burnt his hand during a "ritual" with Tony also leaves me to believe he burned his hand probably smoking from a crack pipe.

The fact Adam's car was left with $600 in his wallet tells me he didn't just walk away. He was probably taken against is will and murdered or died from a drug overdose and those with him freaked out and disposed of him.

I just don't understand why Tony was so easily dismissed as a POI. It makes no sense. As far as the details have been presented to us, things didn't start getting strange around Chateau Hecht until he entered the picture. He has something to do with this, I guarantee you. He may not be guilty of anything himself--that much may be accurate--but he's a big piece of this puzzle.

As to Adam possibly being gay? Yes, that's plausible. (Not that it's really related to Adam, but my gaydar exploded in regards to his brother.)

Your drug theory may also have merit. He didn't really seem to be the type, but it was the 80's, he was in Hollywood. It's no great leap of the imagination to think that the Aspen Indoor Ski Lift was running at full powder inside the walls of that posh country club.

But who knows? Maybe he saw something at the club that he shouldn't have seen and was killed because of it. That would explain why his wallet and car weren't taken. You had better believe that there would be some heavy-hitting club members who could make a problem go away. Druggies and general derelicts would have all at least taken the wallet; wealthy club members wouldn't need his money.

Nah, this case was really no different than the case of Tom Hood and David Freeman. They act the same as cult leaders and target vulnerable people. Drugs don't need to be involved.

I just don't understand why Tony was so easily dismissed as a POI. It makes no sense. As far as the details have been presented to us, things didn't start getting strange around Chateau Hecht until he entered the picture. He has something to do with this, I guarantee you. He may not be guilty of anything himself--that much may be accurate--but he's a big piece of this puzzle.

As to Adam possibly being gay? Yes, that's plausible. (Not that it's really related to Adam, but my gaydar exploded in regards to his brother.)

Your drug theory may also have merit. He didn't really seem to be the type, but it was the 80's, he was in Hollywood. It's no great leap of the imagination to think that the Aspen Indoor Ski Lift was running at full powder inside the walls of that posh country club.

But who knows? Maybe he saw something at the club that he shouldn't have seen and was killed because of it. That would explain why his wallet and car weren't taken. You had better believe that there would be some heavy-hitting club members who could make a problem go away. Druggies and general derelicts would have all at least taken the wallet; wealthy club members wouldn't need his money.

I was thinking the same in regards to the wallet, but honestly I believe Adam parked that car and left all of those items inside. There were a month's worth of parkng tickets on the car. He was parked in Beverly Hills and no forced entry.

There was no mention of a girlfriend or even female acquaintances. Idk but I believe Adam was into subculture a little deeper than his family wanted to lead on.

The fact they never mentioned his shady dealings with that real estate agent speaks volumes to how much they were trying to spin the story. Also Bob Stacks was a friend of the family so I'm sure the family had a lot of input in how the story was presented to the masses.

Remember this was the 80s and reputation meant everything to the rich. Any type of scandal they would try to cover up.

I do think Tony was bad news that is why I personally think he got Adam hooked up with some drugs.

Its very possible Adam OD'd in Skid Row and they freaked and disposed of his body never coming in contact with his car or belongings.

I simple can't fathom Adam just walking away from his posh life because he was disenchanted with being rich.

As far as the police dismissing Tony as a POI is also very telling. The family hired a PI and spent a pretty penny having the PI work for 6 months I am positive the PI had to uncover something but they didn't mention anything.

Mrs. Hecht made a comment on how she didn't understand how the police simple let Tony go. However, if there was no evidence of foul play and Tony was that developmentally delayed what exactly could the police do?

If Tony had killed Adam I think there would have been some evidence. It took more than one person to get rid of Adam in the manner he vanished.

Being gay was extremely taboo even 20 years ago so 35 years ago you know it was something rarely even mentioned. I felt the same with Keith Warren's case that he was gay and his family didn't disclose this information.

I am really more leaning towards somebody with money having done this. The car and wallet make me feel strongly about it.

Perhaps your gay angle and the points you mentioned about being gay/closeted in that era might come into play here. What if Adam discovered that somebody else was in the closet? Again, someone of means who did not need this information coming to light at whatever cost?

So many possibilities.

Am I crazy -- or have I read that Adam had voluntarily "wandered off" to find himself several times prior to disappearing for good?

Something like that is a classic UM thing to leave out when covering a missing person.

Am I crazy -- or have I read that Adam had voluntarily "wandered off" to find himself several times prior to disappearing for good?

Something like that is a classic UM thing to leave out when covering a missing person.

I don't think so. Adam's entire personality and habits changed after meeting Tony is what I have always understood.

I do feel that since Bob Stack was a friend of the family that the family had a lot of control on how that segment was filmed/executed.

They did leave a lot about Adam out of the segment on purpose and that gives me pause.

I noticed his sister and brother seemed rather cold. Perhaps Adam was their mother's golden child? They didn't seem too emotional but perhaps that is an elitist character trait?

I am really more leaning towards somebody with money having done this. The car and wallet make me feel strongly about it.

Perhaps your gay angle and the points you mentioned about being gay/closeted in that era might come into play here. What if Adam discovered that somebody else was in the closet? Again, someone of means who did not need this information coming to light at whatever cost?

So many possibilities.


Adam's car had been sitting for over a month with many tickets. The segment leads us to believe someone may have put it there. I'm leaning towards he probably just left the car there.

I'm wondering if the shady real estate agent Crystal Dawn says was omitted from the segment may have actually been the person to get rid of Adam. Apparently they had some shady dealings.

Its convenient for the family to want to blame Tony, but perhaps it had nothing to do with Tony or his newfound vagabond lifestyle.

You are right it could have simply been something he knew that he wasn't supposed to know.

I don't believe Adam disappeared at all I believe someone made him disappear. The fact no trace of him was ever heard of again and he disappeared from Beverly Hills tells me someone of means got rid of him. Contract kill perhaps.

I also think its very telling that police did not pursue Tony and did not consider him a person of interest. Perhaps they had evidence but not enough to accuse someone else.

All things point to Tony just being a distraction in this case and having little to nothing to do with his disappearance. I still stand by my theory Tony and Adam had a sexual relationship going.

Adam's car had been sitting for over a month with many tickets. The segment leads us to believe someone may have put it there. I'm leaning towards he probably just left the car there.

I'm wondering if the shady real estate agent Crystal Dawn says was omitted from the segment may have actually been the person to get rid of Adam. Apparently they had some shady dealings.

Its convenient for the family to want to blame Tony, but perhaps it had nothing to do with Tony or his newfound vagabond lifestyle.

You are right it could have simply been something he knew that he wasn't supposed to know.

I don't believe Adam disappeared at all I believe someone made him disappear. The fact no trace of him was ever heard of again and he disappeared from Beverly Hills tells me someone of means got rid of him. Contract kill perhaps.

I also think its very telling that police did not pursue Tony and did not consider him a person of interest. Perhaps they had evidence but not enough to accuse someone else.

All things point to Tony just being a distraction in this case and having little to nothing to do with his disappearance. I still stand by my theory Tony and Adam had a sexual relationship going.

what is the story about this real estate agent? this is the first im hearing about it

what is the story about this real estate agent? this is the first im hearing about it

It was mentioned on crystaldawn's blog (https://lostnfoundblogs.com/f/adam-hecht-searching-for-answers) about Adam's disappearance.

It was mentioned on crystaldawn's blog (https://lostnfoundblogs.com/f/adam-hecht-searching-for-answers) about Adam's disappearance.

Wow had no idea. Wonder why UM didn't mention this?

Thanks!

I noticed his sister and brother seemed rather cold. Perhaps Adam was their mother's golden child? They didn't seem too emotional but perhaps that is an elitist character trait?

Martine Hecht is British, and with the Hechts being upper class it's likely they were raised to show very little emotion/sentiment. It might also explain somewhat why Adam was driven to help the poor, as a way of rebelling (for lack of a better word) against the environment in which he was raised.

Sort of related to that, at the beginning of this segment Stack says that Beverly Hills has "an average yearly income of $75,000 per household". Of course UM is full of reminders that times have changed, but that has to be one of the biggest.

My theory for this case is that Adam was murdered just after he disappeared. It would have been extremely obvious that he was from a wealthy family, and with his generous spirit it would have put a big red target on his back. If he was gay, or using drugs I don't think that has any relevance to his disappearance or death, I think it is more likely that someone took advantage of his charitable nature, asked for his help to lure him, then robbed and murdered him. They just haven't found his body.

Adam's sexuality is.. Irrelevant to this in my eyes. Do I think he and Tony were in a 'relationship'? Not particularly.

I've always thought that he probably met his end rather quickly after leaving his car. I think he went to get drugs.. And.. Maybe just wound up in a dumpster, wasn't noticed and decayed in some landfill.

I also hold out the possibility that he was an unclaimed body somewhere.

Even the family doesn't believe Tony had anything to do with it.

Wait, Robert Stack knew the family? This is the first time I've heard that.. I don't recall that mentioned in the segment. The UM Wiki doesn't mention it either.

Wait, Robert Stack knew the family? This is the first time I've heard that.. I don't recall that mentioned in the segment. The UM Wiki doesn't mention it either.

Check out the Wikipedia page for Harold Hecht Sr. who produced a number of high-profile Hollywood films including the 1955 Oscar winner for best picture, Marty. He was especially active in the 1950s and 60s so it’s not surprising at all that he would have rubbed shoulders with Stack in Hollywood

Adam's sexuality is.. Irrelevant to this in my eyes. Do I think he and Tony were in a 'relationship'? Not particularly.

I've always thought that he probably met his end rather quickly after leaving his car. I think he went to get drugs.. And.. Maybe just wound up in a dumpster, wasn't noticed and decayed in some landfill.

I also hold out the possibility that he was an unclaimed body somewhere.

Even the family doesn't believe Tony had anything to do with it.

I'm going to disagree with you there. I think Adam's sexuality is very relevant to the conversation because it adds to the possibilities in which he could have gone missing. Just like I think Keith Warren's sexuality is relevant as well. Both families seem to have went out of their way to sanitize certain elements of both their lives.

I don't care about their sexuality but it definitely mattered because it could have led to clues to solve their cases. This was done often on UM remember the Selena Edon case? Her family clearly omitted her sexuality from her segment as well.

I think Adam was a good guy who got caught up in a world he knew little about. I think the police had other suspicions they may have not shared with the family because they didn't have the proof necessary to prosecute which is why they never considered Tony a suspect.

Mrs. Hecht for sure put all her eggs in the basket of Tony being the reason her son is missing. Can't say I blame her because it seems Adam's life took a major turn when he began associating with Tony he also disassociated with a lot of his interests. However, I think it clear Tony didn't have the wherewithal to be able to kill Adam without a trace of evidence or a body.

Back to my original post I do think Adam got caught up with either drugs and had a contract on his life or its the real estate guy that did him in and the cops knew it but couldn't prove it.

I don't care about their sexuality but it definitely mattered because it could have led to clues to solve their cases. This was done often on UM remember the Selena Edon case? Her family clearly omitted her sexuality from her segment as well.

I highly doubt that Selena’s family clearly omitted her sexuality. I think this was a decision made by Unsolved Mysteries because it was 1993 and this was still a controversial topic to even address. Much like UM’s decision to not address Angela Hammond’s pregnancy, it was a show choice.

The person’s sexuality doesn’t always pertain to their case. Sometimes, yes. But all too often, I think people contort themselves by overthinking this is an avenue and it only adds extra rabbit holes that don’t lead anywhere. For instance, Selena Edon’s problems and disappearance stemmed from the traumatic brain injury from her motorcycle accident. It got to the point where she couldn’t remember conversations she had just had with people minutes earlier. Her disappearing, sadly, is not all that surprising if she got to the point where she couldn’t even identify herself to others, much like the Patricia Carlton case.

Likewise, when Matthew Chase’s sexuality was revealed, several posters theorized that he was meeting someone for a gay hookup and came across his killer that way. In reality, he went to the ATM to deposit his paycheck, like he said he was doing, and a gang member saw him, robbed him and killed him. He didn’t care or know that Matt was gay. He just wanted his money.

As for Adam Hect? All we know is about this attention he was now paying to the homeless. I can see him exploring this new world and getting on drugs. But possibly being gay? I suppose it’s not impossible but we just don’t have enough information. Even in the late 80’s, I think him being in Beverly Hills and having lots of money would give him easier access to other gay people than your average closeted person elsewhere in the country. This seems like information we would have heard about by now. I kind of get the feeling this is another rabbit hole but I can’t prove it.

I'm going to disagree with you there. I think Adam's sexuality is very relevant to the conversation because it adds to the possibilities in which he could have gone missing. Just like I think Keith Warren's sexuality is relevant as well. Both families seem to have went out of their way to sanitize certain elements of both their lives.

I don't care about their sexuality but it definitely mattered because it could have led to clues to solve their cases. This was done often on UM remember the Selena Edon case? Her family clearly omitted her sexuality from her segment as well.

I think Adam was a good guy who got caught up in a world he knew little about. I think the police had other suspicions they may have not shared with the family because they didn't have the proof necessary to prosecute which is why they never considered Tony a suspect.

Mrs. Hecht for sure put all her eggs in the basket of Tony being the reason her son is missing. Can't say I blame her because it seems Adam's life took a major turn when he began associating with Tony he also disassociated with a lot of his interests. However, I think it clear Tony didn't have the wherewithal to be able to kill Adam without a trace of evidence or a body.

Back to my original post I do think Adam got caught up with either drugs and had a contract on his life or its the real estate guy that did him in and the cops knew it but couldn't prove it.

Meh. You're welcome to believe what you want.. I just.. Don't see any way it has any relevance.

You keep possibilities like that in mind no matter what. Whether he was gay or not, there's always the possibility that there was some kind of 'lovers quarrel' or triangle or lord knows what.

Do I think he was? I haven't really seen any evidence of it.. And.. Again.. Don't care. I keep the thought that it was one of the above situations open regardless.

What this boils down to.. Where's the body? There are 2 basic ways that I can see him going missing (and being dead) where he did and no body turning up. First is the trashcan theory I mentioned before. Second is he WAS found, but the body wasn't connected to being him.

Are there other options? Yeah.. I mean, someone could have thrown him in the trunk of a car and he's in the desert outside of Vegas.. But the first two seem the most likely.

Honestly.. I don't think at the root of this.. That it's a foul play situation. I think it's an accidental death more than anything. OD. But, I wouldn't exclusively look at it from that angle if I were the cops. I have the luxury of being able to do that here.

I highly doubt that Selena’s family clearly omitted her sexuality. I think this was a decision made by Unsolved Mysteries because it was 1993 and this was still a controversial topic to even address. Much like UM’s decision to not address Angela Hammond’s pregnancy, it was a show choice.

The person’s sexuality doesn’t always pertain to their case. Sometimes, yes. But all too often, I think people contort themselves by overthinking this is an avenue and it only adds extra rabbit holes that don’t lead anywhere. For instance, Selena Edon’s problems and disappearance stemmed from the traumatic brain injury from her motorcycle accident. It got to the point where she couldn’t remember conversations she had just had with people minutes earlier. Her disappearing, sadly, is not all that surprising if she got to the point where she couldn’t even identify herself to others, much like the Patricia Carlton case.

Likewise, when Matthew Chase’s sexuality was revealed, several posters theorized that he was meeting someone for a gay hookup and came across his killer that way. In reality, he went to the ATM to deposit his paycheck, like he said he was doing, and a gang member saw him, robbed him and killed him. He didn’t care or know that Matt was gay. He just wanted his money.

As for Adam Hect? All we know is about this attention he was now paying to the homeless. I can see him exploring this new world and getting on drugs. But possibly being gay? I suppose it’s not impossible but we just don’t have enough information. Even in the late 80’s, I think him being in Beverly Hills and having lots of money would give him easier access to other gay people than your average closeted person elsewhere in the country. This seems like information we would have heard about by now. I kind of get the feeling this is another rabbit hole but I can’t prove it.

I disagree because UM was ahead of its time and never shied away from taboo topics because they were presented in an informative matter and not merely for entertainment purposes.

UM often talked about taboo topics such as: occult, sex trafficking, child rape, etc. so why would someone merely being homosexual be such a taboo topic?

Meh. You're welcome to believe what you want.. I just.. Don't see any way it has any relevance.

You keep possibilities like that in mind no matter what. Whether he was gay or not, there's always the possibility that there was some kind of 'lovers quarrel' or triangle or lord knows what.

Do I think he was? I haven't really seen any evidence of it.. And.. Again.. Don't care. I keep the thought that it was one of the above situations open regardless.

What this boils down to.. Where's the body? There are 2 basic ways that I can see him going missing (and being dead) where he did and no body turning up. First is the trashcan theory I mentioned before. Second is he WAS found, but the body wasn't connected to being him.

Are there other options? Yeah.. I mean, someone could have thrown him in the trunk of a car and he's in the desert outside of Vegas.. But the first two seem the most likely.

Honestly.. I don't think at the root of this.. That it's a foul play situation. I think it's an accidental death more than anything. OD. But, I wouldn't exclusively look at it from that angle if I were the cops. I have the luxury of being able to do that here.

Well "meh" the great thing about being able to carry on an intelligent conversation is respecting a difference of opinion.

Even if Adam overdosed and someone disposed of his body it is foul play. His family was robbed of the dignity of having a resting place for their loved one.

I think every aspect of a person's personal life should come into play when someone suddenly disappears.

Not sure why it triggers some that I think Adam's sexuality should have been discussed.

I think the family probably knew Adam was gay just as well as they probably knew about drug use. Prominent families often hide things they think will bring shame upon the family. Rosemary Kennedy anyone?

The Hechts were more concerned with keeping up appearances than finding their loved one. I'm sure that PI they spent 100K on came up with something that could have been useful to the segment but they shared nothing.

The police knew Tony was not involved and that adds merit to my theory that the Hechts were covering up what they didn't want people to know about Adam's lifestyle whatever that was.

I disagree because UM was ahead of its time and never shied away from taboo topics because they were presented in an informative matter and not merely for entertainment purposes.

UM often talked about taboo topics such as: occult, sex trafficking, child rape, etc. so why would someone merely being homosexual be such a taboo topic?

That you even ask this question makes me immediately think you may not have lived through this era. That's of course perfectly fine if indeed the case, but it's just one of those things that come up where people of a certain age and older all understand, while those from subsequent generations have a difficult time wrapping their heads around. And yes, with 2023 goggles firmly suctioned to one's eye sockets, it does seem incredibly strange and silly that bringing up someone's sexual preference would be politely sidestepped when the other, actual abominations were discussed with more ease. That was just a reflection of the times we lived in.

There could be (and often was) great shame in being gay at that time to the point of possibly causing irreparable rifts in families at the mere insinuation. In failing to mention anything to do with sexual orientation, I'm fairly certain UM was simply trying to allow for tact in an already difficult time in these families' lives.

Please forgive me if I'm wrong for presuming anything about you! No offense intended. :)

I disagree because UM was ahead of its time and never shied away from taboo topics because they were presented in an informative matter and not merely for entertainment purposes.

UM often talked about taboo topics such as: occult, sex trafficking, child rape, etc. so why would someone merely being homosexual be such a taboo topic?

I’m assuming you must be very young. All the examples you listed are uncomfortable and unfortunate situations but not taboo topics to mention in the late 80’s through most of the 90’s. Satanic panic was at its peak, and child sexual abuse was not at all uncommon to hear on the news.

Anything gay related, however, was on a completely different level and extremely controversial to acknowledge. Even the word, ‘gay,’ wasn’t said on Unsolved Mysteries until season 11 with the Will Hendrick segment. Before that, the show did everything in their power to avoid the topic at all if they could. It was painfully obvious how uncomfortable they were when they quickly danced around Judy Groezinger and her female friend being more than friends.

This is not to pick on UM because all shows were afraid to address this. Scripted shows may once in a while include a gay character on a “very special episode,” but you’d never see him again. Look how many people lost their minds when Mariel Hemingway kissed Roseanne on her sitcom in the mid 90’s. I was a closeted gay teen in the 90’s and it was extreme slim pickings to see yourself represented on TV.

I don't think Adam simply walked away from his "privileged" lifestyle because it's not like he was necessarily a pampered brat, his parents seemed to have taught him well because he worked for a living. Maybe he let Tony move in because he thought he could teach the guy some proper guidance that would enable him to build a better lifestyle for himself.

This case serves as a reminder that there are really only three reasons for vagrancy:
1) People who have experienced a massive struggle that is no fault of their own, such as a their house being destroyed in a wildfire, earthquake or storm, there's people who got laid off from their job and struggling in tough economic times. These are not the kind of people who flood the streets begging for handouts; these people are actually making a conscientous effort to get back on their feet.
2) People who have serious personal problems such as drugs, alcohol, unhinged mental illness or criminal activity.
3) People who have the uber-rebellious or lackadaisical mindset of not having to take any 'guidance' from anybody or listen to anybody else, they decide to just "live off the land".

Point is, nobody is really 'forced' into vagrancy, the vast majority of the time it is simply through their own poor decisions that put them in such a predicament.

I think Adam thought he could use his knowledge and strong foundation to help those who weren't as strongminded but it ended up backfiring on him because he was taken advantage of and it cost him his life.

I don't think Adam simply walked away from his "privileged" lifestyle because it's not like he was necessarily a pampered brat, his parents seemed to have taught him well because he worked for a living. Maybe he let Tony move in because he thought he could teach the guy some proper guidance that would enable him to build a better lifestyle for himself.

This case serves as a reminder that there are really only three reasons for vagrancy:
1) People who have experienced a massive struggle that is no fault of their own, such as a their house being destroyed in a wildfire, earthquake or storm, there's people who got laid off from their job and struggling in tough economic times. These are not the kind of people who flood the streets begging for handouts; these people are actually making a conscientous effort to get back on their feet.
2) People who have serious personal problems such as drugs, alcohol, unhinged mental illness or criminal activity.
3) People who have the uber-rebellious or lackadaisical mindset of not having to take any 'guidance' from anybody or listen to anybody else, they decide to just "live off the land".

Point is, nobody is really 'forced' into vagrancy, the vast majority of the time it is simply through their own poor decisions that put them in such a predicament.

I think Adam thought he could use his knowledge and strong foundation to help those who weren't as strongminded but it ended up backfiring on him because he was taken advantage of and it cost him his life.

While I agree with your list of three things, more or less.. The part that gets you there.. People usually progress through those 'steps'.

They start at 1.. After getting beaten down over and over, they progress to 2.. And if not pulled out at that point, will rapidly land on step 3.

I don't think Adam simply walked away from his "privileged" lifestyle because it's not like he was necessarily a pampered brat, his parents seemed to have taught him well because he worked for a living. Maybe he let Tony move in because he thought he could teach the guy some proper guidance that would enable him to build a better lifestyle for himself.

This case serves as a reminder that there are really only three reasons for vagrancy:
1) People who have experienced a massive struggle that is no fault of their own, such as a their house being destroyed in a wildfire, earthquake or storm, there's people who got laid off from their job and struggling in tough economic times. These are not the kind of people who flood the streets begging for handouts; these people are actually making a conscientous effort to get back on their feet.
2) People who have serious personal problems such as drugs, alcohol, unhinged mental illness or criminal activity.
3) People who have the uber-rebellious or lackadaisical mindset of not having to take any 'guidance' from anybody or listen to anybody else, they decide to just "live off the land".

Point is, nobody is really 'forced' into vagrancy, the vast majority of the time it is simply through their own poor decisions that put them in such a predicament.

I think Adam thought he could use his knowledge and strong foundation to help those who weren't as strongminded but it ended up backfiring on him because he was taken advantage of and it cost him his life.


In my opinion it is unlikely Adam's demise had anything to do with him being taken advantage of. I think he was into some things his family didn't want people to know about because of their "status" in Hollyweird so they spun his segment to focus on Tony and his involvement with the homeless. The fact the police excluded Tony so easily leads me to believe they had something else to go on independent of Tony but not enough evidence to pursue it.

The fact all of his valuables were in his car tell me whoever wanted Adam gone did not have a motive that was motivated by money. Also it seems Tony had no motive to rob Adam because Adam was giving him food, shelter, etc.

All these facts lead me to believe Adam wasn't so squeaky clean as they presented him in the segment.

I have always noticed that segments which include people who come from families with means often get a sanitized version versus those who were not well off. The class system was in full effect during UM's reign.

At the end of the day is this a Gail Delano type situation? Abandoning your car, the keys, and your wallet and then making your way out of town to commit suicide.

Much like the Dana Point Jane Doe case I could easily see Adam hitchhiking or even catching a bus north to some cliff on the coast, or even up to the Golden Gate Bridge, and jumping.

I think "Tony" is a red herring, for lack of a better word. If Adam Hecht was experiencing some sort of existential crisis, then I think it's entirely possible that he just chose to abandon all his material possessions and begin anew far away from everyone who knew him.

I think "Tony" is a red herring, for lack of a better word. If Adam Hecht was experiencing some sort of existential crisis, then I think it's entirely possible that he just chose to abandon all his material possessions and begin anew far away from everyone who knew him.

What you're describing is.. Fairly rare. But.. Absolutely, it does happen. Think of the Michele Whitaker case. That's local to me. Just up the road. She disappeared, everyone thought she was killed by Jon Vick.. She turned up 6 years later in.. Oregon, i believe.

She did exactly what you said. Just got overwhelmed by life and left everyone and everything behind for a new life across the country.

Now.. on one hand I say.. good for her. On the other, she can kiss the fattest part of my ass for the absolute hell she put her friends and family through and the wasted resources of the police.

Adam.. doesn't have that 'feel' for me. But.. I can't say you're wrong. Your idea is just as valid as anything I or anyone else here could come up with.

It would be.. Pretty unusual for him to STAY missing this long. So.. I'd more agree with you that perhaps it started out that way.. But.. I would be flabbergasted if he is still alive, and quite frankly, if he were still alive even 6 months after he went missing. Maaaaybe.. If he left the country. but, he'd have to get a passport renewed.. He'd have turned up.


Just in case anyone isn't familiar with the Whitaker case, which I can't imagine around here anyone wouldn't be famliar with it, but.. Just in case...

https://www.goupstate.com/story/news/2017/08/18/investigation-discovery-to-feature-case-of-spartanburg-woman-who-disappeared-for-six-years/19417146007/

Yes, he seemed far too coddled his entire life to last 10 seconds without his usual means.

Yes, he seemed far too coddled his entire life to last 10 seconds without his usual means.

RobinW's "Trail Went Cold" episode this week is about the Hecht disappearance, and when listening to it, I had the same exact reaction. There's no way this rich guy from Beverly Hills just decided one day that he was going to be homeless and successfully pulled it off without ever being spotted by a single soul. "Tony" was spotted numerous times (even by members of the Hecht family) and law enforcement was always aware of his whereabouts. So it wasn't that easy to disappear.

He left everything behind. There has never been a single eyewitness that has come forward (that we know of, but you would think if there was one credible sighting it would have been reported on) and claimed to have seen him. His older brother said he was struggling in the days before his disappearance with "the meaning of life". This is one of the few disappearances where people either believe Adam dropped everything and lived his life as a nomadic homeless person, or that he met with foul play the day of or after he disappeared. It doesn't seem like suicide is given any consideration. IMO, it's more likely than him dropping everything and deciding to live life on the streets of Skid Row.

RobinW's "Trail Went Cold" episode this week is about the Hecht disappearance, and when listening to it, I had the same exact reaction. There's no way this rich guy from Beverly Hills just decided one day that he was going to be homeless and successfully pulled it off without ever being spotted by a single soul. "Tony" was spotted numerous times (even by members of the Hecht family) and law enforcement was always aware of his whereabouts. So it wasn't that easy to disappear.

He left everything behind. There has never been a single eyewitness that has come forward (that we know of, but you would think if there was one credible sighting it would have been reported on) and claimed to have seen him. His older brother said he was struggling in the days before his disappearance with "the meaning of life". This is one of the few disappearances where people either believe Adam dropped everything and lived his life as a nomadic homeless person, or that he met with foul play the day of or after he disappeared. It doesn't seem like suicide is given any consideration. IMO, it's more likely than him dropping everything and deciding to live life on the streets of Skid Row.

The problem with Suicide.. Where's the body?

Where did he go to off himself that he wouldn't be found?

Obviously, he could have been discovered as a "John Doe" and no one has done the legwork yet to match up "Hey, this body found here kinda seems like it could be Adam".. Again, this is a valid possibility.. And.. to be honest, one that I like the most. But..

Why go to another town, or out into the woods to off himself? Why wouldn't he have done it at home?

So.. Can't say this is right.. But, it's also one of my top theories. Right behind that he bought some drugs off the street and died from them.. Which.. is about the same thing, but that wouldn't have been intentional.

The problem with Suicide.. Where's the body?

Where did he go to off himself that he wouldn't be found?

Obviously, he could have been discovered as a "John Doe" and no one has done the legwork yet to match up "Hey, this body found here kinda seems like it could be Adam".. Again, this is a valid possibility.. And.. to be honest, one that I like the most. But..

Why go to another town, or out into the woods to off himself? Why wouldn't he have done it at home?

So.. Can't say this is right.. But, it's also one of my top theories. Right behind that he bought some drugs off the street and died from them.. Which.. is about the same thing, but that wouldn't have been intentional.

Like I speculated previously, he went somewhere and jumped into the ocean, Golden Gate Bridge would be my wild guess. Why didn't he do it at home? Because he didn't want to, simple as.

Like I speculated previously, he went somewhere and jumped into the ocean, Golden Gate Bridge would be my wild guess. Why didn't he do it at home? Because he didn't want to, simple as.

I can't say you're wrong.

But.. It's.. Decently rare for a body to not show up. Of course, there's the Alcatraz escapees.. I fully believe they drowned, but no bodies ever turned up there.. Well, other than the ship captain that saw a body in the water, and reported it shortly afterwards.

I think we pretty much agree on the endgame, it's just the manner of getting there.

The problem with Suicide.. Where's the body?

The same question could be asked if he was the victim of foul play. It's highly unlikely that he's still alive after all of these years with zero sightings of him being reported, so in all likelihood, he's dead. Also possible that a John Doe was found somewhere that was never matched to Adam.

Where did he go to off himself that he wouldn't be found?

Could have went to any number of places in California to kill himself.

Why go to another town, or out into the woods to off himself? Why wouldn't he have done it at home?

To spare his family from finding him?

So.. Can't say this is right.. But, it's also one of my top theories. Right behind that he bought some drugs off the street and died from them.. Which.. is about the same thing, but that wouldn't have been intentional.

I don't think he would have abandoned his car, wallet, credit cards, and $600 in cash if he was just buying drugs from someone.

I don't think he would have abandoned his car, wallet, credit cards, and $600 in cash if he was just buying drugs from someone.

Labonte18 also said "died from them" which means he likely died from an overdose which I agree with.

Nothing of his was missing, and there were very obvious signs that him and Tony were into drug use. If Adam was new to hard drugs then he could've likely overdosed if he did too much too fast.

Labonte18 also said "died from them" which means he likely died from an overdose which I agree with.

Nothing of his was missing, and there were very obvious signs that him and Tony were into drug use. If Adam was new to hard drugs then he could've likely overdosed if he did too much too fast.

But if he died from an accidental overdose, why hasn't his body been found? Why wasn't he found in a hotel room or near where his car was abandoned (in a busy area of Beverly Hills)?

But if he died from an accidental overdose, why hasn't his body been found? Why wasn't he found in a hotel room or near where his car was abandoned (in a busy area of Beverly Hills)?

Because he could've overdosed anywhere, and if he was with someone when he overdosed they could've hid or disposed of his body

He could've been with Tony, or someone else when it happened.

The same question could be asked if he was the victim of foul play. It's highly unlikely that he's still alive after all of these years with zero sightings of him being reported, so in all likelihood, he's dead. Also possible that a John Doe was found somewhere that was never matched to Adam.


But if he died from an accidental overdose, why hasn't his body been found? Why wasn't he found in a hotel room or near where his car was abandoned (in a busy area of Beverly Hills)?

no, no, no.. You don't get to argue both sides here.. lol

This, between these two, is the point I was trying to make.

If it was suicide.. Well, you're not moving yourself after you off yourself. If someone pulls THAT one off... So, this is.. MUCH harder for a body to not be found. But, yes, we do have to allow for the fact that it's possible he WAS found and no one knows it yet. Or that he went to some really far off remote place. I mean, there's lots of cases of suicide in the woods where a body isn't found for a very long time.. But.. Where was his car? "Streets of Beverly Hills" with many parking tickets, indicating, it had been there since he went missing. There's not too many places that someone could kill themselves within walking distance of BH where the body wouldn't be found.. at least, not that I know of. I certainly am not an expert on BH, but..

If it's foul play, at least there's intelligence at play there to dispose of the body afterwards. Now, define 'intelligence' how you want in that.

Unless we're thinking he tossed himself into a furnace or something as his suicide, which.. Yeah, that's a bit of a stretch in this case, at least.


The theory that fits the most for me is.. He picked up drugs, probably wandered around fairly high and then collapsed somewhere within reason of where his car was found. Leaving everything in the car like that.. While, yes, it COULD point to suicide.. It can also point to drugs or a psychotic episode just as easily. Weren't there several cases that took years to solve where someone's car was found on the side of a remote highway and their bodies were found years later very near the vehicle?

This.. Has that type of feel to me. It just didn't happen on a remote highway. And those cases also had family thinking foul play.

"Tony", I believe it's established has some pretty evident mental issues himself.. But, I believe the police and even Adam's family have come to accept that he didn't have anything to do with Adam's disappearance or death.

.

no, no, no.. You don't get to argue both sides here.. lol

I can argue that he committed suicide and did so in a location as to assure that his body would be nearly impossible to find and also argue the unlikelihood of him overdosing on drugs in a location so remote that his remains have never been found or located quickly enough to where it would have been obvious that the body was that of Adam.

If it was suicide.. Well, you're not moving yourself after you off yourself. If someone pulls THAT one off... So, this is.. MUCH harder for a body to not be found. But, yes, we do have to allow for the fact that it's possible he WAS found and no one knows it yet. Or that he went to some really far off remote place. I mean, there's lots of cases of suicide in the woods where a body isn't found for a very long time.. But.. Where was his car? "Streets of Beverly Hills" with many parking tickets, indicating, it had been there since he went missing. There's not too many places that someone could kill themselves within walking distance of BH where the body wouldn't be found.. at least, not that I know of. I certainly am not an expert on BH, but..

He left his car within walking distance of Santa Monica Blvd, and could have easily taken a taxi to any location he wanted to.

The theory that fits the most for me is.. He picked up drugs, probably wandered around fairly high and then collapsed somewhere within reason of where his car was found. Leaving everything in the car like that.. While, yes, it COULD point to suicide.. It can also point to drugs or a psychotic episode just as easily. Weren't there several cases that took years to solve where someone's car was found on the side of a remote highway and their bodies were found years later very near the vehicle?

So Adam parks his car, leaves the keys in the ignition, goes to buy some drugs, and then wanders around the streets of Beverly Hills high as a kite before dying of an accidental overdose and...no one identifies him, like immediately? His car was found one month after he went missing. If his body was found, which would have been fairly quickly if he was in Beverly Hills, why did no one make this connection to a John Doe for over 30+ years? There also is zero evidence that Adam used drugs, even recreationally.


"Tony", I believe it's established has some pretty evident mental issues himself.. But, I believe the police and even Adam's family have come to accept that he didn't have anything to do with Adam's disappearance or death.

I agree that Tony had nothing whatsoever to do with Adam's disappearance.

I can argue that he committed suicide and did so in a location as to assure that his body would be nearly impossible to find and also argue the unlikelihood of him overdosing on drugs in a location so remote that his remains have never been found or located quickly enough to where it would have been obvious that the body was that of Adam.


He left his car within walking distance of Santa Monica Blvd, and could have easily taken a taxi to any location he wanted to.


Where? Where could you take a taxi that is so remote your body wouldn't be found?

That's assuming he remained local. Now, I think we can pretty much eliminate that he went to the airport and flew somewhere. While things weren't quite as severe so far as airline security back in '94 as they are now.. It really stretches belivability for me that he could have flown somewhere and there be no record of it. But.. It's LA. You do have plenty of options. He COULD have taken a train up to Portland (Or various other places) and gone off grid. I just can't put together a concept that I can get behind where he is alive now. How he gets to dead.. There are many theories that are possible. The drug idea ranks the highest for me.


So Adam parks his car, leaves the keys in the ignition, goes to buy some drugs, and then wanders around the streets of Beverly Hills high as a kite before dying of an accidental overdose and...no one identifies him, like immediately? His car was found one month after he went missing. If his body was found, which would have been fairly quickly if he was in Beverly Hills, why did no one make this connection to a John Doe for over 30+ years? There also is zero evidence that Adam used drugs, even recreationally.


Maybe. But that isn't what I was thinking. I more think, he bought the drugs, used.. Pulled over, got out.. Wandered. Dropped. And, for whatever reason, was not identified.

Why did no one make the connection to Lori Reaves for nearly 25 years?
She died in 1994, the coroner autopsied and buried her as an unclaimed body.. Reported missing in ~2007.. Case not solved until 2018. Because the last name was misspelled and the SSN was one digit off.

I'd also argue "zero" evidence he used drugs. There may be no HARD evidence, but.. There is a fair amount of circumstantial or, perhaps more accurately, presumptive evidence. His family stated that there was a significant change that happened to him after meeting Tony. He had the burns from a 'ritual'.. a ritual that.. It wouldn't be shocking if part of it involved the use of drugs. Do you think "Tony" was clean? Certainly seems Adam was searching for something.. He might have found it in drug form.

and, of course, just because that one seems the most logical to me, doesn't mean there aren't other possibilities. He was 23.. Early 20's.. That's the schizo sweet spot. So, what I am interpreting as drugs.. There's certainly a possibility that it was mental illness. The only reason I don't put that at the top of the list.. Is that.. You'd think there'd be. More. More incidents before we got to this level. Drugs, pending on what they are.. Think of Len Bias. one and done. 94 was well before the fentinyl epidemic, but.. People still died from drugs.

I just read through CrystalDawn's blog entry on this case again.. Which.. Leans more towards a voluntary leaving.. And.. That's logical. I can understand that.. I'm not saying that idea is wrong, same as I am not saying your idea is wrong. Just.. My opinion is that drugs is the most likely answer in my eyes, coupled with a colossal **** up in bureaucracy being the reason he's still 'missing'.

I think his brother believes that he left voluntarily as well. I wonder if that's a bit of wishful thinking.

I will also say, if he left voluntarily and by some miracle is still alive.. He's worthless as a human being. If he left voluntarily and was still alive for any amount of time, I maintain that opinion. To leave your family guessing like that? awful.

I will also say, if he left voluntarily and by some miracle is still alive.. He's worthless as a human being. If he left voluntarily and was still alive for any amount of time, I maintain that opinion. To leave your family guessing like that? awful.

Terrible thing to say. If he is/was alive then he could've had undiagnosed mentally illness, some mind-altering trauma stemming from drug use, or just a deep depression which is also a mental illness.

I will say that leaving the keys in the ignition is bizarre and something I forgot about. That does seem like he intentionally left it there on purpose, however what if someone else left the keys in the ignition?

What if he over-dosed while with Tony and Tony put his wallet and keys in the car as he figured they'd search his apartment after his disappearance? I understand leaving $600 in his wallet untouched is crazy, but what if Tony tried to stay in his apartment as long as possible and didn't want anyone thinking that Adam died in there?

If his wallet and keys were found in the apartment then it's obvious that foul play was afoot. Maybe Tony wasn't as unintelligible as they thought?

Terrible thing to say. If he is/was alive then he could've had undiagnosed mentally illness, some mind-altering trauma stemming from drug use, or just a deep depression which is also a mental illness.

I will say that leaving the keys in the ignition is bizarre and something I forgot about. That does seem like he intentionally left it there on purpose, however what if someone else left the keys in the ignition?

What if he over-dosed while with Tony and Tony put his wallet and keys in the car as he figured they'd search his apartment after his disappearance? I understand leaving $600 in his wallet untouched is crazy, but what if Tony tried to stay in his apartment as long as possible and didn't want anyone thinking that Adam died in there?

If his wallet and keys were found in the apartment then it's obvious that foul play was afoot. Maybe Tony wasn't as unintelligible as they thought?

Obviously I was speaking from the point of if he voluntarily disappeared. And, yes, I will continue to stand behind that statement in that case.

You know how many people I know who leave their keys in the ignition if they're just 'popping out' for a second? It's.. actually not highly uncommon. Well.. a bit more so now since a lot of cars don't have 'keys'.. It's DUMB, but.. I think you'd be shocked at how many people do it. obviously, this doesn't mean Adam did.. Just that I don't find it.. overly weird. That or the wallet on the seat, either. Some people don't like sitting on their wallet so will take it out in the car and put it in the console or.. On the seat. So.. again.. I am not saying or implying "Nope, you're wrong".. I'm just explaining why I think the way that I do.. And that's why the keys and wallet in the car.. Don't strike me with the same oddness that they do you.

I haven't seen anything on this.. But.. Come on.. That car had to have been processed, right? Checked for other peoples prints? kinda tell if it had been wiped down? I'm operating under the assumption that was done. If the cops didn't do that on a car found a month after someone was reported missing.. Wow.

Everyone around this seems to think that Tony isn't involved.. So, I admit that I find that quite believable from them. Which means I have to admit, he could have fooled everyone.. It just seems we're almost getting into the 'evil genius' area for him to pull that off.. and.. That just seems a bit of a stretch for me.

I've always assumed in missing person's cases where the car is left with the keys in/on it that the car is being left as bait for car thieves to further muddy the waters relating to their disappearance.

Where? Where could you take a taxi that is so remote your body wouldn't be found?

Virtually anywhere in California. He gets a ride from a taxi to a completely different town/location and walked into a forest or remote area to do it.

Maybe. But that isn't what I was thinking. I more think, he bought the drugs, used.. Pulled over, got out.. Wandered. Dropped. And, for whatever reason, was not identified.

Adam was last seen alive on 6/7/89. His brother went to the apartment three days later and has his bizarre encounter with Tony. This overdose death would have been reported in the papers within this time frame. Adam's family was looking for him in the days after 6/7. Someone would have put 2+2 together, be it law enforcement or the family.

Why did no one make the connection to Lori Reaves for nearly 25 years?
She died in 1994, the coroner autopsied and buried her as an unclaimed body.. Reported missing in ~2007.. Case not solved until 2018. Because the last name was misspelled and the SSN was one digit off.

Well this would be irrelevant with regards to Adam because he would have presumably had no identification on him if/when he was found.

I'd also argue "zero" evidence he used drugs. There may be no HARD evidence, but.. There is a fair amount of circumstantial or, perhaps more accurately, presumptive evidence. His family stated that there was a significant change that happened to him after meeting Tony. He had the burns from a 'ritual'.. a ritual that.. It wouldn't be shocking if part of it involved the use of drugs. Do you think "Tony" was clean? Certainly seems Adam was searching for something.. He might have found it in drug form.

None of that is evidence of drug use. The guy was talking about the meaning of life, volunteering at homeless shelters, and staying out on the streets because he was disillusioned with the privileged lifestyle he was living before meeting Tony. That to me is evidence that he was struggling mentally.

I will also say, if he left voluntarily and by some miracle is still alive.. He's worthless as a human being. If he left voluntarily and was still alive for any amount of time, I maintain that opinion. To leave your family guessing like that? awful.

There is a very real possibility that on the miniscule chance that he's still alive, it is because of some form of mental illness and he is unable to contact his family.

I haven't seen anything on this.. But.. Come on.. That car had to have been processed, right? Checked for other peoples prints? kinda tell if it had been wiped down? I'm operating under the assumption that was done. If the cops didn't do that on a car found a month after someone was reported missing.. Wow.

Even if they checked the car for fingerprints, it proves nothing as Tony probably rid in his car before. And I also doubt they're going to test for fingerprints when his car was sitting parked for that long. You know how many potential fingerprints were on that car with it sitting on the street for as long as it was?

Everyone around this seems to think that Tony isn't involved.. So, I admit that I find that quite believable from them. Which means I have to admit, he could have fooled everyone.. It just seems we're almost getting into the 'evil genius' area for him to pull that off.. and.. That just seems a bit of a stretch for me.

Putting the keys in the ignition and throwing a wallet on the seat is far from "evil genius". They may have thought Tony was weird or "out there" but we have no idea how logical Tony was. And if not Tony, it could've been someone else Adam was hanging around who was never brought up.

There could've been another friend, girlfriend, or whomever who could've done it, but wasn't on UM.

I've always assumed in missing person's cases where the car is left with the keys in/on it that the car is being left as bait for car thieves to further muddy the waters relating to their disappearance.

I'm assuming that you mean it's the missing person who wants the car stolen, but it's also possible for a perp to do the same thing if foul play or a hidden body is involved.

The perp hides/destroys the body, put the keys in the ignition and leaves the car unlocked hoping that someone steals it. That way the police are off their trail and follows the car

I rewatch this segment often looking for more clues. To me Adam's hand burn was very telling. I highly doubt he burned his hand doing a ritual with Tony. I think Adam burned his hand smoking crack with Tony.

No one hangs on Skid Row willingly for fun I believe Adam got into drugs with Tony for sure and thing went left. Possibly he died from an overdose and body was disposed somewhere. Probably not by Tony but some of the guys in Skid Row who were more street smart. Tony was obviously dealing with untreated mental illness.

I think Adam genuinely began his relationship with Tony wanting to help but it spiraled out of control. He was fascinated by Tony and wanted to understand him.

His sister's statements really made me believe this was a case of drugs when she said everything about Adam changed when he hang with Tony. Often times when family members start doing drugs they become withdrawn and lose interest in things that once made them happy.

Occam's razor points to Tony. He's involved in some form. I understand that LE would have also thought this right away, yet have ruled Tony out as a suspect, but I don't buy that he has nothing to do with this. He knows more than he's ever said. This guy has gotten a free pass for nearly 35 years due to his mental illness.

I am somewhat surprised at the seemingly reckless speculation about drugs. Where is it coming from? Did I miss something? Statements like "Adam got into drugs with Tony FOR SURE." There is no evidence of this. People usually just don't start smoking crack one day out of the blue. There were other reasons for his withdrawal from his old life, his disillusionment and/or depression brought about by the world introduced to him by Tony. By all accounts he was doing some serious soul searching. It seems much more likely to me that he was neive and some unscrupulous person or persons from the street saw him as a mark and he was killed in an attempted robbery, etc. The whole drug angle is possible, but there is no evidence at all to support it.

I am somewhat surprised at the seemingly reckless speculation about drugs. Where is it coming from? Did I miss something? Statements like "Adam got into drugs with Tony FOR SURE." There is no evidence of this. People usually just don't start smoking crack one day out of the blue. There were other reasons for his withdrawal from his old life, his disillusionment and/or depression brought about by the world introduced to him by Tony. By all accounts he was doing some serious soul searching. It seems much more likely to me that he was neive and some unscrupulous person or persons from the street saw him as a mark and he was killed in an attempted robbery, etc. The whole drug angle is possible, but there is no evidence at all to support it.

While you're correct that there's no evidence to support Adam's drug use, there are a few things that hint at it. infinityluxe hit the nail on the head about how I feel so I'll just paste what they said:

I rewatch this segment often looking for more clues. To me Adam's hand burn was very telling. I highly doubt he burned his hand doing a ritual with Tony. I think Adam burned his hand smoking crack with Tony.

No one hangs on Skid Row willingly for fun I believe Adam got into drugs with Tony for sure and thing went left.

What part of that statement hit the nail on the head? That he burned his hand smoking crack? I think that's incredibly reckless speculation. Do we even know exactly where the burns were on his hand? Crack smokers often times burn their fingertips, the segment seemed to suggest his burn was closer to his palm.

Also I disagree with the suggestion that crack use would inspire someone to hangout on skid row. I am very familiar with how the drug underworld works. People of means like Adam, if he was a user, go to the streets to obtain their drugs and then leave immediately to avoid anything coming between them and using their drugs (police, other users, robbers). Drugs alone would not make a person with means decide to live on skid row. If he was indeed spending lots of time there, the reason would not be crack. That would be a reason to visit and get in and out as quickly as possible, not a reason to immerse yourself in that world.

What part of that statement hit the nail on the head? That he burned his hand smoking crack? I think that's incredibly reckless speculation. Do we even know exactly where the burns were on his hand? Crack smokers often times burn their fingertips, the segment seemed to suggest his burn was closer to his palm.

Also I disagree with the suggestion that crack use would inspire someone to hangout on skid row. I am very familiar with how the drug underworld works. People of means like Adam, if he was a user, go to the streets to obtain their drugs and then leave immediately to avoid anything coming between them and using their drugs (police, other users, robbers). Drugs alone would not make a person with means decide to live on skid row. If he was indeed spending lots of time there, the reason would not be crack. That would be a reason to visit and get in and out as quickly as possible, not a reason to immerse yourself in that world.

Let me help you help yourself. The thread title is THEORIES so therefore there is no such thing as "reckless speculation" anything is up for debate. You are free to disagree just as we are all free to have open dialogue and speculation about this case.

Adam being of means doesn't make him exempt from speculation about the nature of his relationships on Skid Row and his activities when it has been confirmed that he was hanging there willingly. Especially considering his own family said he grew disenchanted with his privileged life and was looking for deeper meaning and a sense of belonging. I never said he went to Skid Row to score I said he was probably doing drugs while he was hanging there.

You really think he was hanging on Skid Row being the great white hope to the homeless and not getting involved with some of the activities they were involved in? If he simply wanted to help them, he could have done that without hanging on Skid Row or simply dropping food and items off to them. He was basically living amongst them.



The segment said he burned his hand during a ritual with Tony there was no elaboration on the extent of the burn. It is common for inexperienced users to burn themselves while preparing and smoking crack. You have to remember this was the 80s at the height of the crack epidemic. It impacted people from all walks of life regardless of means and race. A very highly addictive "new drug" at that time.

Natalie Cole (daughter of Nat King Cole) was a famous Grammy winning singer who grew up even more privileged than Adam had a horrible crack addiction in the 80s and was in the slums smoking crack. Hugh O'Connor (son of Carroll O'Connor) was also addicted to the drug and running the streets doing it throughout the 80s and 90s. You can't say because a person is "of means" what they won't do especially when drugs are involved. Also keep in mind there are different kinds of addicts. Some like to score and get high in the privacy of their own home and others like to do it with a group of people.

It seems to me Adam was looking for escapism from his life and he found it hanging with Tony. According to everyone in the segment Tony was a magnet to Adam and he became consumed with him.

I personally believe drugs were definitely involved and I suspect there was a probable homosexual relationship that developed between Tony and Adam.

My theory is Adam overdosed on Skid Row and the people there panicked and disposed of his body.

Adam's segment was incredibly sanitized because Bob Stack was close to the family so it came across biased in ways. His family really tried to paint the narrative that Adam was simply helping someone less fortunate and came up missing. There is way more to this story than that. Adam became involved with the lifestyle Tony was living and literally anything could have happened to him.

You don't have to agree with the speculation and theories here. Literally anything is a possibility because Adam still has never surfaced to this day.

I just don't understand why Tony was so easily dismissed as a POI. It makes no sense. As far as the details have been presented to us, things didn't start getting strange around Chateau Hecht until he entered the picture. He has something to do with this, I guarantee you. He may not be guilty of anything himself--that much may be accurate--but he's a big piece of this puzzle.

As to Adam possibly being gay? Yes, that's plausible. (Not that it's really related to Adam, but my gaydar exploded in regards to his brother.)

Your drug theory may also have merit. He didn't really seem to be the type, but it was the 80's, he was in Hollywood. It's no great leap of the imagination to think that the Aspen Indoor Ski Lift was running at full powder inside the walls of that posh country club.

But who knows? Maybe he saw something at the club that he shouldn't have seen and was killed because of it. That would explain why his wallet and car weren't taken. You had better believe that there would be some heavy-hitting club members who could make a problem go away. Druggies and general derelicts would have all at least taken the wallet; wealthy club members wouldn't need his money.

I understand where you are coming from because initially, I felt the same way. However, like you said Tony's mental illness has shielded him from any type of prosecution. I think the police knew it was a dead end because he was so whimsical and made no sense when trying to speak with him. Also, according to police Tony had no obvious signs of trauma and the apartment also showed no signs of a struggle or foul play. There was no activity on Adam's bank cards and when his car was found his wallet was full of money. No motive could be established, and circumstantial evidence wasn't cutting it either. If Tony had indeed murdered Adam there would have been some type of evidence and there was none.

Adam locking his keys in his car made no sense either. If someone else had locked the keys in the car they surely would have pocketed the $600 in his wallet. So something was clearly amiss. Adam was not in his right man. Now it could be due to a drug induced psychosis or something, but he wasn't thinking rationally at the time.

I highly doubt he disappeared to go and commit suicide later as well. Historically, when men commit suicide, it is violent and effective. Most women will have the rational to say, "I don't want my kids to find me so I will go away to location no one knows me". Women rarely blow their brains out due to vanity as well. Most men want something quick and violent like hanging (no so quick but violent and effective) or a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The keys in the ignition still bother me because it makes no sense. Its possible it could be a red herring and like someone here said whoever left the keys in the ignition was hoping someone would steal the car. However, why not leave the car near Skid Row where it would be sure to be stolen? It literally sat in Beverly Hills undisturbed for over a month.

https://youtu.be/mulUCNlsglk

Very interesting Podcast on Adam I had not heard before. Its an hour long so grab a nice drink and a bag of chips. They also touched on the same theory I had about Adam and Tony having an affair.

Let me help you help yourself. The thread title is THEORIES so therefore there is no such thing as "reckless speculation" anything is up for debate. You are free to disagree just as we are all free to have open dialogue and speculation about this case.

Adam being of means doesn't make him exempt from speculation about the nature of his relationships on Skid Row and his activities when it has been confirmed that he was hanging there willingly. Especially considering his own family said he grew disenchanted with his privileged life and was looking for deeper meaning and a sense of belonging. I never said he went to Skid Row to score I said he was probably doing drugs while he was hanging there.

You really think he was hanging on Skid Row being the great white hope to the homeless and not getting involved with some of the activities they were involved in? If he simply wanted to help them, he could have done that without hanging on Skid Row or simply dropping food and items off to them. He was basically living amongst them.



The segment said he burned his hand during a ritual with Tony there was no elaboration on the extent of the burn. It is common for inexperienced users to burn themselves while preparing and smoking crack. You have to remember this was the 80s at the height of the crack epidemic. It impacted people from all walks of life regardless of means and race. A very highly addictive "new drug" at that time.

Natalie Cole (daughter of Nat King Cole) was a famous Grammy winning singer who grew up even more privileged than Adam had a horrible crack addiction in the 80s and was in the slums smoking crack. Hugh O'Connor (son of Carroll O'Connor) was also addicted to the drug and running the streets doing it throughout the 80s and 90s. You can't say because a person is "of means" what they won't do especially when drugs are involved. Also keep in mind there are different kinds of addicts. Some like to score and get high in the privacy of their own home and others like to do it with a group of people.

It seems to me Adam was looking for escapism from his life and he found it hanging with Tony. According to everyone in the segment Tony was a magnet to Adam and he became consumed with him.

I personally believe drugs were definitely involved and I suspect there was a probable homosexual relationship that developed between Tony and Adam.

My theory is Adam overdosed on Skid Row and the people there panicked and disposed of his body.

Adam's segment was incredibly sanitized because Bob Stack was close to the family so it came across biased in ways. His family really tried to paint the narrative that Adam was simply helping someone less fortunate and came up missing. There is way more to this story than that. Adam became involved with the lifestyle Tony was living and literally anything could have happened to him.

You don't have to agree with the speculation and theories here. Literally anything is a possibility because Adam still has never surfaced to this day.

Precisely.

And to add to the fact that Adam's family had said that he had been acting completely different from his usual self. To quote his sister: "At the beginning, Adam was an elite, preppy businessman. He drove a great car and taught tennis. And then he met Tony, and it just all changed. And he became a mystical person, and I just didn’t know him anymore."

While it's not definite that drug use caused his change in behavior, it's a big possibility. His hand burn (crack pipe) coupled with his change in behavior is indictive of drug use. I don't see how helping homeless people and helping on skid row sober would completely change his behavior

His sister said he became more "mystical" and this leads you to believe he was smoking crack? Hey look, I get it, anything is possible. We have no way of knowing what information may have been ommitted from the segment to sanitize the Hecht reputation, etc. So I guess with that caveat, drugs, illicit sex, even an alien abduction is technically possible. We just have different opinions and I presume it makes me a little uncomfortable throwing dirt on someone's name (drug accusations) transforming him from a "victim" to a criminal at least partially responsible for his own demise. But with that being said, I do understand the need to consider ALL POSSIBILITIES, for that is the only way to find truth.

His sister said he became more "mystical" and this leads you to believe he was smoking crack? Hey look, I get it, anything is possible. We have no way of knowing what information may have been ommitted from the segment to sanitize the Hecht reputation, etc. So I guess with that caveat, drugs, illicit sex, even an alien abduction is technically possible. We just have different opinions and I presume it makes me a little uncomfortable throwing dirt on someone's name (drug accusations) transforming him from a "victim" to a criminal at least partially responsible for his own demise. But with that being said, I do understand the need to consider ALL POSSIBILITIES, for that is the only way to find truth.

It's not only what his sister said, but his mother and brother also said he was acting differently. The only reason I highlighted "mystical" was because that shows an abrupt change of behavior from his usual "preppy" self.

Drawing a conclusion from things presented in a segment is far from "throwing dirt" on one's name, it's forming a theory on the information given. You sound completely asinine saying that were transforming him from a victim to a criminal responsible for his own demise, like what??? Adam could've been responsible for his own demise, someone could've killed him - we don't know, that's why we're speculating, but making us to be villain's because we theorized that he might've used drugs is completely crazy

Virtually anywhere in California. He gets a ride from a taxi to a completely different town/location and walked into a forest or remote area to do it.


And, with the publicity this case received, the cab driver wouldn't have been found? I dunno.


Adam was last seen alive on 6/7/89. His brother went to the apartment three days later and has his bizarre encounter with Tony. This overdose death would have been reported in the papers within this time frame. Adam's family was looking for him in the days after 6/7. Someone would have put 2+2 together, be it law enforcement or the family.


An OD death in LA would make the papers? my Great Grandfather remarried and moved to Santa Monica. He died in May of '52 and his second wife died about a year later. I've been struggling to track down any info on her. We didn't even know she existed.

A nice soul at the Santa Monica Historical Society searched through the Santa Monica newspapers for me.. She found a 2-3 paragraph blurb about her death in the paper. She was found dead in her apartment.. The only real reason it made the paper was because there was an abrasion on her neck, which made them think she had been strangled. She had kidney cancer, apparently, that's what killed her.

FURTHER.. You know what happens to unclaimed bodies in LA? They go here..

https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2162011/los-angeles-county-crematorium-cemetery

I went there back in February, trying to dig up any info on her. Had a long talk with the curator there, who is just a super nice guy. Been there about 35 years he said.

Any unclaimed body would go there in the 80's (Their crematorium has been broken for several years, so they outsource the actual cremation now) and would be cremated. It would be held for up to 3 years. If the remains were unclaimed then.. They'd be buried in a mass grave. Which.. Sounds bad, but honestly, it's done quite respectably.

My step-Great Grandmother.. That's what happened to her. They don't even know where she's interred specifically. Just the general area because back in the 50's, they marked the areas with wooden posts, which.. Are now gone.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/234046483/louella-p-curtiss

I mention all that to say.. You think an OD, especially if they think he was just another street person, would have made the news? Louella there BARELY made a blurb and they thought she might have been murdered.. In the 50's.

Also, I mention it because.. Well, now you know a bit about how unclaimed bodies are handled in LA. it's.. actually apt to be important info to have in this case.


None of that is evidence of drug use. The guy was talking about the meaning of life, volunteering at homeless shelters, and staying out on the streets because he was disillusioned with the privileged lifestyle he was living before meeting Tony. That to me is evidence that he was struggling mentally.

I.. Wonder about the timeline here. I don't know that we REALLY know when he met Tony.. Everything I've read, the first time his brother saw/met/knew about Tony is when they were at the restaurant and Adam went out to talk to him. Which.. Doesn't seem like the first time he met him.. Though, i can't say for certain.

I think it's presented as the first meeting, but.. Not sure if that's factual.


There is a very real possibility that on the miniscule chance that he's still alive, it is because of some form of mental illness and he is unable to contact his family.

anything is possible. And.. That probably wouldn't necessarily be "voluntarily' leaving.


Even if they checked the car for fingerprints, it proves nothing as Tony probably rid in his car before. And I also doubt they're going to test for fingerprints when his car was sitting parked for that long. You know how many potential fingerprints were on that car with it sitting on the street for as long as it was?

Well, it proves if anyone else was in the car. It would prove if the car was wiped of prints.

The absence of evidence is still evidence.

If the car had been wiped of prints.. That right there, I certainly hope, would cause a dramatic shift in thinking for many of us. Immediately things go from a situation where we all think, whatever happened, it was.. Likely accidental or suicide or what have you to.. Hey.. Only reason you wipe a car down is to conceal evidence.

that's a pretty big swing right there.



Putting the keys in the ignition and throwing a wallet on the seat is far from "evil genius". They may have thought Tony was weird or "out there" but we have no idea how logical Tony was. And if not Tony, it could've been someone else Adam was hanging around who was never brought up.

You have taken two completely different paragraphs and put them together to come up with that.

What I said was that if Tony was involved and fooled everyone.. It'd get into the evil genius territory because.. He pulled it off AND has everyone believing that he didn't.

That was completely separate from mentioning that it's not uncommon for people to leave keys in the ignition at times or that because some people don't like sitting on their wallet, that they'd take it out and put it on their seat or in the console.


There could've been another friend, girlfriend, or whomever who could've done it, but wasn't on UM.

Indeed. However.. CrystalDawn's blog is pretty thorough and she spoke to Adam's brother while writing up that blog entry.

PLUS.. The fact the CD is.. Let me put it this way.. I have a ton of respect for CD's methodology, writing style and thought processes.. If there is a 'third party'.. No one is talking about them.



I'm assuming that you mean it's the missing person who wants the car stolen, but it's also possible for a perp to do the same thing if foul play or a hidden body is involved.

The perp hides/destroys the body, put the keys in the ignition and leaves the car unlocked hoping that someone steals it. That way the police are off their trail and follows the car

You've pretty much described my thoughts on the Wackerhagen case. But.. Let's not bring that in here..


Just putting this here at the bottom.. Anyone who hasn't read it.. Please consider reading CD's blog entry.. At the very least, you get to see a picture of the mysterious Tony..

https://lostnfoundblogs.com/f/adam-hecht-searching-for-answers

But, CD talked to his family.. Out of everything written about the case, I think CD's blog entry is.. Probably one of the best. The biggest issue (perhaps) is that it was written in '19.. So, a full 30 years after the fact.. and.. Memories have a tendency to change after time. But.. Sometimes.. Things are remembered after time as well. So..

I didn't say anyone was a villain. I said "it makes me uncomfortable," but I also acknowledged the necessity of considering all possibilities. You are entitled to your theories and I am entitled to feel the way I feel about such theories. I was simply thinking out loud, offering a reason (my uncomfortability) that may explain my reluctance to seriously consider such theories. Perhaps it is my own blind spot. My intention was not to suggest that anyone was villainous.

Indeed. However.. CrystalDawn's blog is pretty thorough and she spoke to Adam's brother while writing up that blog entry.

PLUS.. The fact the CD is.. Let me put it this way.. I have a ton of respect for CD's methodology, writing style and thought processes.. If there is a 'third party'.. No one is talking about them.

What does CD or his brother have to do with someone outside of Tony possibly hiding Adam's body? Adam's brother doesn't know anything and said that Tony told him to "just stay on the streets long enough". No offense to CD, but what does she have to do with a unknown third party? Was she out there interviewing people in skid row who possibly knew Tony or Adam? If not, I don't see the relevance

I didn't say anyone was a villain. I said "it makes me uncomfortable," but I also acknowledged the necessity of considering all possibilities. You are entitled to your theories and I am entitled to feel the way I feel about such theories. I was simply thinking out loud, offering a reason (my uncomfortability) that may explain my reluctance to seriously consider such theories. Perhaps it is my own blind spot. My intention was not to suggest that anyone was villainous.

We all have our reasons for believing what we do. I get why you don't think drugs immediately..

I.. Wouldn't disagree that things might be getting a little too deep into trying to change each others minds in this topic vs discussing theories.

I may disagree with your theories, but.. Doesn't mean your theories aren't valid. Seeing as we don't know what happened.. Until we do.. None of us are 'right'.

So long as we don't have anyone coming in here claiming to have 'visions' about the case. On another forum someone pulled that number on the missing farmer case out in Utah.. Dylan Rounds. That one, the person just slung so much poo around. They even brought up they saw Ivo Zadarsky kill Dylan. And, if you don't know who Ivo Zadarsky is, don't feel bad, I had to look him up, too.

https://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/29/garden/in-a-remote-part-of-utah-life-alone-in-a-hangar.html

Sorry.. Sidetracked a bit there. If you can't tell. I'm still annoyed over that one.


I would disagree with you on whether drugs would be a possibility., I think yes, and that's just because the 'change' in Adam was so pronounced and sudden. just seems that some artificial substance is the simplest explanation. And.. I'm very into looking for the simplest explanation. I feel that's usually the one that's got the best chance of being right.

But am I saying you're wrong and your theory has no value? Certainly not. You've got just as much of a chance of being right as any of us.

Though, If you were to say your theories were told to you by your dog.. Well.. Maybe best to just keep that to yourself. lol

What does CD or his brother have to do with someone outside of Tony possibly hiding Adam's body? Adam's brother doesn't know anything and said that Tony told him to "just stay on the streets long enough". No offense to CD, but what does she have to do with a unknown third party? Was she out there interviewing people in skid row who possibly knew Tony or Adam? If not, I don't see the relevance

You said.

There could've been another friend, girlfriend, or whomever who could've done it, but wasn't on UM.

And, that's when I mentioned CD talking to his family. If it was any of the above.. And they had ANY inkling of suspicion.. Don't you think they would have come up in that conversation?


Now it's an 'unknown third party'.. So.. Now you're saying it was a random crime?

I don't mind answering, but stop changing the question after I answer.

I'm comfortable with law enforcement and Adam's family's belief that Tony had nothing to do with Adam's disappearance. I'm also of the belief that it is possible, although I think it's remote, that he met with foul play. I still keep going back to the odd conversation he had with his brother before he disappeared. IMO, his state of mind at that time should also be in consideration when discussing what could have happened to him.

And, that's when I mentioned CD talking to his family. If it was any of the above.. And they had ANY inkling of suspicion.. Don't you think they would have come up in that conversation?

Outside of Tony, they had no idea what Adam was doing, or with who when he started hanging out with Tony. His family said that he would disappear for days at a time, and would randomly pop back up before disappearing for good.

So please tell me, what inkling of suspicion would they have about a third party if they didn't even know Adam's whereabouts? I thought it'd be obvious, but it's apparent they don't know everything that was going on with Adam. Outside of Tony and acting weird they had no clue about his activities or people he was hanging around at that point.

For all we know Adam could've been attacked on skid row and had his body hidden by a stranger there. Adam could've been getting high, overdosed, and had someone he barely knew hide his body. So again, I don't see how CD or his brother would know that.


Now it's an 'unknown third party'.. So.. Now you're saying it was a random crime?

I don't mind answering, but stop changing the question after I answer

How did I switch up my question? Yes, a friend, girlfriend, or whomever WHO WEREN'T KNOWN TO HIS FAMILY. That was my point. Adam could've been around someone his family didn't know who hid his body.

And if we do the math then yes, that person could be a unknown third party to ADAM'S FAMILY, because they didn't know who he was hanging around during that time outside Tony

I'm comfortable with law enforcement and Adam's family's belief that Tony had nothing to do with Adam's disappearance. I'm also of the belief that it is possible, although I think it's remote, that he met with foul play. I still keep going back to the odd conversation he had with his brother before he disappeared. IMO, his state of mind at that time should also be in consideration when discussing what could have happened to him.

Valid points. The reason I say the segment seemed sanitized and I felt Bob Stack's personal relationship with the family was a conflict of interest because they family was allowed to control the narrative that Adam was completely fine until he met Tony and that foul play was the only answer.

Mental illness was never taken into account. Drug induced psychosis was never at play. The only thing in the segment the family couldn't control was the police's belief that Tony was innocent. The family really tried to drive home that the police were somehow botching the case on purpose or neglectful because Tony had to be the only answer for them.

Obviously the police had reasons for their belief that Tony was innocent. Also Unsolved Mysteries was very careful not to push buttons as they were not allowed to use Tony's real name in the segment. To this day we do not know what Tony's real name is.

I believe the police knows something that have kept from the family because it could jeopardize the case (if it ever does venture from being a cold case).

Adam was definitely into something the family didn't know about or didn't want the public to know about.

Prominent families do not like to air their dirty laundry even in the worst of scenarios. Never forget what happened to Rosemary Kennedy.

I'm comfortable with law enforcement and Adam's family's belief that Tony had nothing to do with Adam's disappearance. I'm also of the belief that it is possible, although I think it's remote, that he met with foul play. I still keep going back to the odd conversation he had with his brother before he disappeared. IMO, his state of mind at that time should also be in consideration when discussing what could have happened to him.

You see I don't get this at all. We literally have no idea what happened to this guy, there is no body, no sightings, nothing. How can you rule out Tony or anyone else for that matter? And Tony's behavior around the time of the disappearance could not have been more suspicious. And when he was asked back around that time, he basically told Adam's brother stay on the streets long enough and he'd get his answer. If Tony has no idea what happened to Adam why would he say such a thing? I'm not saying he is definitively guilty of anything, but I can't fathom how there is even enough info to rule him out. The dude obviously was a couple bricks short of a dozen, at least back then.

I have to believe Adam is likely dead, otherwise he would probably have surfaced by now, but that is not a certainty. But really we have no idea. Inasmuch as he may have become intrigued with the street lifestyle and disillusioned with his own, I have to believe at some point survival instinct might have kicked in and he may have returned to his old life, if for no other reason to obtain resources to survive. I think he likely ran into the wrong street group and it didn't end well for him. But we may never know for sure.

I really hope we can all at least agree that Adam is long dead and didn't "go start a new life somewhere". As to any other theories, OK, I can say that anything may be possible. The rest of the theories have at least some root in logic.

Tony knows the truth. The guy pisses me off, to be honest.

I really hope we can all at least agree that Adam is long dead and didn't "go start a new life somewhere". As to any other theories, OK, I can say that anything may be possible. The rest of the theories have at least some root in logic.

Tony knows the truth. The guy pisses me off, to be honest.

I believe Adam was dead by the time his family discovered he was missing.

Other aspects of Adam's life weren't explored in this segment simply because his family wanted Tony arrested for his disappearance.

Anyone else find it strange that Adam's family has not gone public since UM? I know there was the communication with CD but you would think they would do some type of news updates on his anniversaries to get the word out. They literally have been super quiet.

I wonder if one of his siblings got him knocked off.

You see I don't get this at all. We literally have no idea what happened to this guy, there is no body, no sightings, nothing. How can you rule out Tony or anyone else for that matter? And Tony's behavior around the time of the disappearance could not have been more suspicious. And when he was asked back around that time, he basically told Adam's brother stay on the streets long enough and he'd get his answer. If Tony has no idea what happened to Adam why would he say such a thing? I'm not saying he is definitively guilty of anything, but I can't fathom how there is even enough info to rule him out. The dude obviously was a couple bricks short of a dozen, at least back then.

His car was found abandoned on a Beverly Hills side street, $600 in cash left behind, credit cards, keys in the ignition and ID all left inside. But yeah, the crazy homeless guy would have been cunning enough to abandon this expensive vehicle and not take any of the cash inside. His cryptic comment to Adam's brother could have been what Adam told Tony before he left...he was going to "find the meaning of life" by going to the streets.

I have to believe Adam is likely dead, otherwise he would probably have surfaced by now, but that is not a certainty. But really we have no idea. Inasmuch as he may have become intrigued with the street lifestyle and disillusioned with his own, I have to believe at some point survival instinct might have kicked in and he may have returned to his old life, if for no other reason to obtain resources to survive. I think he likely ran into the wrong street group and it didn't end well for him. But we may never know for sure.

The problem with foul play is that if he ran into the "wrong street group", how could these people have successfully hidden his body to where it's never been found? With what resources? I don't understand why cases like Kristi Krebs and Patricia Meehan are universally believed to have been undiagnosed mental illness induced disappearances, but thanks largely to the presence of weirdo Tony, this seems unfathomable to some people with Adam. He was hanging out on Skid Row, burning his arms, talking to his brother about finding the meaning of life. He would "often" disappear before returning a few days later. I could see why some people would go with the drug angle, but I would think his family or law enforcement (when evicting Tony, who was described as drunk, not high when being evicted) would have found evidence of that.

but I would think his family or law enforcement (when evicting Tony, who was described as drunk, not high when being evicted) would have found evidence of that.

How do we know they didn't? Adam's family was wealthy, and famous. The problem with this case is they had the money and connections to control the narrative to how they saw fit.

If there was drugs in Adam's apartment then it's possible that they told the media, and police to keep it hush hush to not tarnish it's family name. I certainly believe there was more to this whole story that they're keeping quiet.

His car was found abandoned on a Beverly Hills side street, $600 in cash left behind, credit cards, keys in the ignition and ID all left inside. But yeah, the crazy homeless guy would have been cunning enough to abandon this expensive vehicle and not take any of the cash inside. His cryptic comment to Adam's brother could have been what Adam told Tony before he left...he was going to "find the meaning of life" by going to the streets.



The problem with foul play is that if he ran into the "wrong street group", how could these people have successfully hidden his body to where it's never been found? With what resources? I don't understand why cases like Kristi Krebs and Patricia Meehan are universally believed to have been undiagnosed mental illness induced disappearances, but thanks largely to the presence of weirdo Tony, this seems unfathomable to some people with Adam. He was hanging out on Skid Row, burning his arms, talking to his brother about finding the meaning of life. He would "often" disappear before returning a few days later. I could see why some people would go with the drug angle, but I would think his family or law enforcement (when evicting Tony, who was described as drunk, not high when being evicted) would have found evidence of that.

First off, you are really going on a lot of assumptions here. If Adam was the victim of foul play, he could very well have encountered his killers somewhere far enough away from the car to where they never even knew it was his.

Second of all, you just assume I think it was a 'crazy homeless person.' Not everyone who is out on the streets is out there due to lack of resources or being crazy. Many are for nefarious purposes including but not limited to drug deals, various exploitations of the homeless, or hiding from the law.

And it really doesn't take a lot of resources to get rid of a body anyway. All you need is a car with a large enough trunk, a little bit of gas in it to get outside the city. And unfortunately, many people out on the streets have no qualms about stealing anything they happen to need.

I think its entirely possible if not likely Adam simply ran into the wrong bunch, possibly even running up on something he wasn't supposed to see and unfortunately you can surmise the rest. I didn't even mention drug deals, but that is a possibility. I mean you have a guy who was very naive about this sector of society, and who was not using good judgment at all prior to his death.

Or, its still very possible Tony may have been involved. We simply don't know. Or at least know more than what he is telling.

The only other possibilities are suicide, and if so where is the body? Or him starting a new life. There is nothing to indicate Adam was going into the wilderness or anything like that where he might have succumbed to the elements, his interest was in street life. And like I said, can't help but think he would have surfaced by now, if for no other reason to tell his family to stop looking.

First off, you are really going on a lot of assumptions here. If Adam was the victim of foul play, he could very well have encountered his killers somewhere far enough away from the car to where they never even knew it was his.

It's possible, but this would mean Adam abandoned his life and was killed by people elsewhere. Fine. But that doesn't explain why his body has never been found, nor does it factor in that not one single eyewitness has ever seen him after the day he disappeared.

Second of all, you just assume I think it was a 'crazy homeless person.' Not everyone who is out on the streets is out there due to lack of resources or being crazy. Many are for nefarious purposes including but not limited to drug deals, various exploitations of the homeless, or hiding from the law.

I was referring specifically to Tony.

And it really doesn't take a lot of resources to get rid of a body anyway. All you need is a car with a large enough trunk, a little bit of gas in it to get outside the city. And unfortunately, many people out on the streets have no qualms about stealing anything they happen to need.

You understate how hard it is to dispose of a body without anyone noticing anything.

The only other possibilities are suicide, and if so where is the body? Or him starting a new life. There is nothing to indicate Adam was going into the wilderness or anything like that where he might have succumbed to the elements, his interest was in street life. And like I said, can't help but think he would have surfaced by now, if for no other reason to tell his family to stop looking.

The Beverly Hills Police Department has stated (https://www.beverlyhills.org/departments/policedepartment/crimeinformation/coldcasemissingpersons/adamarthurhecht/):

Adam Hecht was last seen on June 7, 1989 at his Beverly Hills residence, leaving in a vehicle he had rented while his own car was being repaired. Two weeks after Hecht was reported missing, the rental car containing his wallet, money, credit cards and driver's license, was found abandoned in Beverly Hills. At the time of his disappearance, Adam Hecht had been interested in meditation, especially in mountain areas.

Huge piece of information that has been largely ignored when discussing this case. He previously would disappear for days on end without telling anyone. He abandoned his rental car on a side street in Beverly Hills. He was talking to his brother right before he disappeared about the meaning of life. He was interested in meditation and mysticism around the time he disappeared. He liked to go to "mountain areas" to meditate. He invented a man he met on the street to move in with him. This has all of the earmarks of a mentally ill man. Adam's family at the time of the UM segment probably nudged the segment in the direction of him becoming disillusioned with wealth with the hopes that he was still alive living life with the homeless. But UM left out the fact that he had recently lost a lot of money over a failed real estate investment. A very similar case is John Cheek. But John Cheek doesn't have a boogeyman like Tony to blame his disappearance and likely death (suicide) on.

At the time of his disappearance, Adam Hecht had been interested in meditation, especially in mountain areas.

Wow I had no idea about this. I guess he really was into mysticism.

At the time of his disappearance, Adam Hecht had been interested in meditation, especially in mountain areas.

Wow, that's very true that this angle hasn't been discussed more.

Do we know the exact location of where the car was discovered? Is it in close proximity to any of the various surrounding mountains/hills of LA? If someone was going for a meditative hike, it would make perfect sense to some to leave their wallet inside their locked car before the journey.

Imagine, after all this speculation, that he just slipped and fell in some hilly terrain and has been hidden by nature this entire time.

So many possibilities.

At the time of his disappearance, Adam Hecht had been interested in meditation, especially in mountain areas.

Wow, that's very true that this angle hasn't been discussed more.

Do we know the exact location of where the car was discovered? Is it in close proximity to any of the various surrounding mountains/hills of LA? If someone was going for a meditative hike, it would make perfect sense to some to leave their wallet inside their locked car before the journey.

Imagine, after all this speculation, that he just slipped and fell in some hilly terrain and has been hidden by nature this entire time.

So many possibilities.

Car was found parked on the street in Beverly Hills. If he ended up in the mountains he needed a ride or help.

Car was found parked on the street in Beverly Hills. If he ended up in the mountains he needed a ride or help.

Also the keys were in the ignition, and his wallet was left out in the open on the driver's seat. If he was going away to meditate in the mountains why would he leave his car in such a state that makes it easy to steal?

Huge piece of information that has been largely ignored when discussing this case. He previously would disappear for days on end without telling anyone. He abandoned his rental car on a side street in Beverly Hills. He was talking to his brother right before he disappeared about the meaning of life. He was interested in meditation and mysticism around the time he disappeared. He liked to go to "mountain areas" to meditate. He invented a man he met on the street to move in with him. This has all of the earmarks of a mentally ill man. Adam's family at the time of the UM segment probably nudged the segment in the direction of him becoming disillusioned with wealth with the hopes that he was still alive living life with the homeless. But UM left out the fact that he had recently lost a lot of money over a failed real estate investment. A very similar case is John Cheek. But John Cheek doesn't have a boogeyman like Tony to blame his disappearance and likely death (suicide) on.

Oh I remember that John Cheek episode he seemed to have a stress-induced psychotic break.

Adam's family didn't seem to treat his case as an endangered missing person. They simply wanted Tony arrested it seems that was their pure agenda. There was no plea of "anyone who knows anything please call in". The brother and sister were ice cold and the mom seemed aloof. We have watched a lot of grieving mothers on UM and I will say Martine seemed very stone faced. I guess we will blame it on her being British.

I feel like Adam's family fumbled that entire segment. All angles should have been explored. Adam was indeed at the age where mental illness shows up in men early to mid 20s.

I think its safe to say that Adam was a changed man before he met Tony and it escalated.

Mental illness had a lot of stigma and with them being an elite Hollywood family I doubt they even considered it.

I am with the police I don't think Tony was/is of any use because his own mental illness was too advanced.

I don't believe for a second Adam went off to the mountains and succumbed to the elements. Someone harmed him and disposed of him.

Also the keys were in the ignition, and his wallet was left out in the open on the driver's seat. If he was going away to meditate in the mountains why would he leave his car in such a state that makes it easy to steal?

It seems to me someone wanted planted the car there and left the keys in the ignition hoping for the car to be stolen.

Honestly, it really seems like someone with money did this. Leaving the car in Beverly Hills (close enough to home perhaps) and leaving the money (because that wasn't their motive and they didn't need it).

It doesn't seem like his family went through great lengths to find him with their Hollywood connections they could have been on every news station in the country running a story or two to get the word out on Adam being missing.

Something about that family just did not sit well with me at all.

Do we know the exact location of where the car was discovered? Is it in close proximity to any of the various surrounding mountains/hills of LA?

The UM segment describes the location as a "Beverly Hills side street". This (https://www.google.com/maps/@34.0655785,-118.4045377,3a,66.9y,291.02h,86.02t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sTrUfGLjq0yQqVV5ghfM25g!2e0!5s20180101T000000!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu) is where Adam lived. crystaldawn's article about Adam's disappearance states that the car was found "not far" from his apartment. Franklin Canyon is less than 5 miles from here. Easily walkable.

The more I think about it, the more I think an accidental death could also be at play here. I think everything about this case was symbolic for Adam. Adam met Tony in January of 1989. He was living with him by February. Tony introduces Adam to this (perceived) weird mysticism. They start visiting Skid Row together at night. Adam tells his brother in early June that he's looking for the meaning of life. He's last seen alive driving away from his apartment in his rental car on June 7th.

IMO, Adam's comment about the meaning of life is telling. Him abandoning the rental car, with his wallet, ID, cash, and credit cards inside was symbolic of him abandoning his privileged lifestyle. I think in a way Tony opened his eyes to how he was living compared to the homeless population in LA. So Adam lets Tony "keep" the apartment (until he was evicted a month later). We do not know where Adam went after ditching the car, but we can surmise it was to somewhere he was familiar with, which could have been Franklin Canyon. Underestimating the elements (although he was really close to civilization unlike Chris McCandless) as well as living life on the streets, he succumbs to the elements. Either that, or he choses to end his life because he cannot live in one where there are people living rich and privileged while others are homeless and struggling.

The more I think about it, the more I think an accidental death could also be at play here. I think everything about this case was symbolic for Adam. Adam met Tony in January of 1989. He was living with him by February. Tony introduces Adam to this (perceived) weird mysticism. They start visiting Skid Row together at night. Adam tells his brother in early June that he's looking for the meaning of life. He's last seen alive driving away from his apartment in his rental car on June 7th.

IMO, Adam's comment about the meaning of life is telling. Him abandoning the rental car, with his wallet, ID, cash, and credit cards inside was symbolic of him abandoning his privileged lifestyle. I think in a way Tony opened his eyes to how he was living compared to the homeless population in LA. So Adam lets Tony "keep" the apartment (until he was evicted a month later). We do not know where Adam went after ditching the car, but we can surmise it was to somewhere he was familiar with, which could have been Franklin Canyon. Underestimating the elements (although he was really close to civilization unlike Chris McCandless) as well as living life on the streets, he succumbs to the elements. Either that, or he choses to end his life because he cannot live in one where there are people living rich and privileged while others are homeless and struggling.

Why didn't he give Tony the money so he could at least eat? Why leave the keys in the ignition and the wallet in plain sight? Why not ask his family if something happened to him make sure Tony had a place to live? If he was so worried about the unfortunate why did he leave the one person he helped in despair? There is no logic.

Someone wanted that car stolen they left bait. It didn't work due to the location and the rental car probably was nothing flashy that someone want to steal.

So you think Adam decided he had to die because of he was too privileged and others were starving with nothing and struggling? You fell hook, line and sinker for the classic UM theory of a person wandering out into the middle of nowhere and succumbing to the elements.

Adam had the means to help these people and it seems he would do them more good by being alive.

I believe the "mysticism" his family is talking about is a crock of shxt.

Moreover, you mean to tell me after all this time not a trace of him was found? I meant atleast the gun he used to kill himself (if that was the case) would be found. No bones; nothing.

There is a pattern on here of similar cases being dismissed simply because there is not enough evidence to suggest foul play.

The way that car was STAGED clearly shows me there is another entity at play here. Adam didn't do this to himself.

Someone could have tried to frame Tony for Adam's disappearance for whatever reason they wanted that car stolen. Leaving a wallet and keys in the ignition was nothing but a ploy to get the car stolen. The problem is whoever left the car was someone privileged like Adam because they didn't take into account being in Beverly Hills the chances were slim of the car being stolen quickly. Someone of lesser means would have known to leave the car in a bad neighborhood.

I'm still caught up in the fact Martine seemed the only genuine person looking for Adam albeit she came off cold and snobbish. The brother and sister may have been behind this who knows. They sure seemed quite annoyed to be interviewed.

I don't think this case is as simple as someone becoming disillusioned with their lifestyle and deciding to end it all because others are struggling.

There is an element at play here that is missing.

Who would benefit from Adam being dead is the answer I believe.

Framing Tony seemed like a slam dunk and as the odds would have it the police didn't fall for it.

Had Tony killed Adam you can bet your bottom dollar that money would have been gone.

Why didn't he give Tony the money so he could at least eat? Why leave the keys in the ignition and the wallet in plain sight? Why not ask his family if something happened to him make sure Tony had a place to live? If he was so worried about the unfortunate why did he leave the one person he helped in despair? There is no logic.

Someone wanted that car stolen they left bait. It didn't work due to the location and the rental car probably was nothing flashy that someone want to steal.

So you think Adam decided he had to die because of he was too privileged and others were starving with nothing and struggling? You fell hook, line and sinker for the classic UM theory of a person wandering out into the middle of nowhere and succumbing to the elements.

Adam had the means to help these people and it seems he would do them more good by being alive.

I believe the "mysticism" his family is talking about is a crock of shxt.

Moreover, you mean to tell me after all this time not a trace of him was found? I meant atleast the gun he used to kill himself (if that was the case) would be found. No bones; nothing.

There is a pattern on here of similar cases being dismissed simply because there is not enough evidence to suggest foul play.

The way that car was STAGED clearly shows me there is another entity at play here. Adam didn't do this to himself.

Someone could have tried to frame Tony for Adam's disappearance for whatever reason they wanted that car stolen. Leaving a wallet and keys in the ignition was nothing but a ploy to get the car stolen. The problem is whoever left the car was someone privileged like Adam because they didn't take into account being in Beverly Hills the chances were slim of the car being stolen quickly. Someone of lesser means would have known to leave the car in a bad neighborhood.

I'm still caught up in the fact Martine seemed the only genuine person looking for Adam albeit she came off cold and snobbish. The brother and sister may have been behind this who knows. They sure seemed quite annoyed to be interviewed.

I don't think this case is as simple as someone becoming disillusioned with their lifestyle and deciding to end it all because others are struggling.

There is an element at play here that is missing.

Who would benefit from Adam being dead is the answer I believe.

Framing Tony seemed like a slam dunk and as the odds would have it the police didn't fall for it.

Had Tony killed Adam you can bet your bottom dollar that money would have been gone.

I disagree about his siblings being behind his disappearance. What would their motives be? His brother seemed to have wanted Adam found and even openly talked to Crystal Dawn.

However I do agree with you about the state of the car. Leaving $600 means that a person of means was behind it...or Adam himself. While I do think that Adam giving Tony the money would've been more generous, we have to remember that he possibly wasn't in his right frame of mind at the time.

While I also agree that foul play could've been at play here, a suicide seems just as plausible. Perhaps leaving the keys in the ignition and a wallet on the seat, he was hoping someone would steal the car so he had time to kill himself without his family coming after him. If he left his car parked at home, or his wallet and keys in his apartment maybe he'd figure they'd blame Tony for his disappearance.

Maybe his plan was to leave his rental parked on a busy street with the keys in it so it gets stolen with the rest of his belongings, Tony doesn't get blamed, and Adam has time to commit suicide without his family coming after him. With how fast he changed personalities I don't doubt he had severe mental issues and was possibly depressed. I wonder if him losing a large chunk of money was the catalyst for this? Perhaps he felt like a failure.

The reason why I'm starting to question foul play is motive. Why would someone want him dead? And if he was doing drugs with someone and overdosed, then I don't see crackheads returning $600 that they can use to keep the drug party going

This case reminds of David Stone a bit. Guy had a mental breakdown and went into the desert and succumbed to the elements.

Why didn't he give Tony the money so he could at least eat? Why leave the keys in the ignition and the wallet in plain sight? Why not ask his family if something happened to him make sure Tony had a place to live? If he was so worried about the unfortunate why did he leave the one person he helped in despair? There is no logic.

Everything involving people who seemingly vanish without a trace is illogical to most people. He was essentially abandoning his material possessions behind. He didn't care what happened to them.

Someone wanted that car stolen they left bait. It didn't work due to the location and the rental car probably was nothing flashy that someone want to steal.

His sister in the segment said he always drove flashy cars. I'm not sure of the make or model of the rental car, but this was Beverly Hills, so I doubt it was some old piece of junk.

So you think Adam decided he had to die because of he was too privileged and others were starving with nothing and struggling? You fell hook, line and sinker for the classic UM theory of a person wandering out into the middle of nowhere and succumbing to the elements.

I mean this is exactly what happened with countless people featured on UM who did "illogical" things; Don Kemp, Dan Wilson, Gail Delano, etc.

Adam had the means to help these people and it seems he would do them more good by being alive.

What if in the months after meeting Tony (January) up until he disappeared (June) did he feel like he couldn't do enough to help them?

I believe the "mysticism" his family is talking about is a crock of shxt.

Why would they lie?

Moreover, you mean to tell me after all this time not a trace of him was found? I meant atleast the gun he used to kill himself (if that was the case) would be found. No bones; nothing.

John Cheek, Kristi Krebs, Patricia Meehan, and countless others presumed dead featured on UM have never been found. Why is Adam any different?

There is a pattern on here of similar cases being dismissed simply because there is not enough evidence to suggest foul play.

The pattern goes the opposite direction; in the absence of direct evidence, there is wild speculation as to possible means in which Adam disappeared. Maybe he overdosed? Maybe Tony killed him? Maybe he ran into the homeless murdering street gang?

The way that car was STAGED clearly shows me there is another entity at play here. Adam didn't do this to himself.

I have no idea why you are discounting the possibility that Adam left the car there himself.

Someone could have tried to frame Tony for Adam's disappearance for whatever reason they wanted that car stolen. Leaving a wallet and keys in the ignition was nothing but a ploy to get the car stolen. The problem is whoever left the car was someone privileged like Adam because they didn't take into account being in Beverly Hills the chances were slim of the car being stolen quickly. Someone of lesser means would have known to leave the car in a bad neighborhood.

Why didn't this person of privilege hire Tony or another homeless dude to off Adam and have them ditch the car in a bad neighborhood? A homeless person is much easier to be made to disappear than someone like Adam. It's a sad reality, but it's true.

I'm still caught up in the fact Martine seemed the only genuine person looking for Adam albeit she came off cold and snobbish. The brother and sister may have been behind this who knows. They sure seemed quite annoyed to be interviewed.

Again: in the absence of any real evidence, there is rampant speculation.

Who would benefit from Adam being dead is the answer I believe.

Law enforcement has had zero suspects or persons of interest in this case for over 30 years now.

Framing Tony seemed like a slam dunk and as the odds would have it the police didn't fall for it.

Then why didn't this shadowy real killer do it?

Had Tony killed Adam you can bet your bottom dollar that money would have been gone.

And if Adam abandoned his vehicle in a nice area in Beverly Hills you can bet your bottom dollar that the money, along with his possessions and the car itself would have still been there when law enforcement found it...which it was.

At the time of his disappearance, Adam Hecht had been interested in meditation, especially in mountain areas.

Wow, that's very true that this angle hasn't been discussed more.

Do we know the exact location of where the car was discovered? Is it in close proximity to any of the various surrounding mountains/hills of LA? If someone was going for a meditative hike, it would make perfect sense to some to leave their wallet inside their locked car before the journey.

Imagine, after all this speculation, that he just slipped and fell in some hilly terrain and has been hidden by nature this entire time.

So many possibilities.

But the fact remains, his car was found in the city, not outside the city near the mountains. If it had been outside the city this possibility would have a lot more merit, in fact I'd almost call it likely. As it is, if he intended to go up in the mountains he would have driven out closer to them wouldn't you think?

But since the car was found in the city, I'd have to say he was venturing out onto the street. And that is consistent with what he had been doing for weeks prior to his disappearance. Or was it months? So whatever happened to him it likely happened there. Which in turn points to foul play being the most likely explanation. He had been coming back from these excursions, but this time he didn't.

The fact that he left his wallet and everything in the car to me is just an example of the poor judgment he was using shortly before his death, and his state of mind. But it also seems to be an indication he intended to return.

The mountains surrounding LA/Beverly Hills area are also a possibility of where his body could have been taken if he was the victim of foul play.

I maintain my theory he simply ventured out into skid row once to often and ran into the wrong bunch at the wrong time. I am rarely one of these people who points to Occam's razor, but I think this is what it points to in this case.

There really is just no way to know in this case - there is no particular evidence that favors any one theory over any other. His car being found in town certainly suggests he initially walked away in town - but walked away could mean walking to the corner market and getting jumped by someone, not dissimilar to the Matthew Chase case. Or he could have gone to skid row and been murdered there. Or he could have electively disappeared. He could have hitched a ride out into nature and died somewhere in the elements. Etc. etc. etc. Just not enough evidence to draw any kind of conclusion that is better than pure speculation.

There really is just no way to know in this case - there is no particular evidence that favors any one theory over any other. His car being found in town certainly suggests he initially walked away in town - but walked away could mean walking to the corner market and getting jumped by someone, not dissimilar to the Matthew Chase case. Or he could have gone to skid row and been murdered there. Or he could have electively disappeared. He could have hitched a ride out into nature and died somewhere in the elements. Etc. etc. etc. Just not enough evidence to draw any kind of conclusion that is better than pure speculation.

Why would he hitch a ride into nature when he had a car? Yes Adam's behavior before his disappearance was not exactly rational, but I doubt he'd forego an obvious way to get out into nature if that was his purpose.

Just not enough evidence to draw any kind of conclusion that is better than pure speculation.

I tend to think that this case comes down to one question: do you believe Adam was the one who abandoned the car, or someone else? If you think it was Adam, as I do, then it's probably either a suicide or death from exposure. If you think it was someone else, then you would think it's probably foul play.

Sorry to keep replying, but I don't think Adam's father gets enough discussion. He died 4 years prior to his disappearance. He was buried at Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park and Mortuary, which was a short (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/143+1%2F2+Bedford+Drive,+Beverly+Hills,+CA/Pierce+Brothers+Westwood+Village+Memorial+Park+%26+Mortuary,+1218+Glendon+Ave,+Los+Angeles,+CA+90024/@34.0586031,-118.4419369,208m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x80c2bbf77d7ed2ad:0x582b374ebebf103f!2m2!1d-118.4047126!2d34.0656204!1m5!1m1!1s0x80c2bb7fc8999897:0xbc116062000ba7b8!2m2!1d-118.441825!2d34.0583927!3e2?entry=ttu) distance from where Adam lived. I wonder how his father's death affected him. It's never really discussed.

I tend to think that this case comes down to one question: do you believe Adam was the one who abandoned the car, or someone else? If you think it was Adam, as I do, then it's probably either a suicide or death from exposure. If you think it was someone else, then you would think it's probably foul play.

This discussion is starting to remind me of the one about Blair Adams where he was found beaten to death surrounded by foreign currency and yet everyone believes he beat himself to death.

Had there been prior suicide attempts I would be inclined to believe perhaps this is what happened to Adam. I'm puzzled why Adam would leave his rental parked when he allegedly went to the mountains to kill himself.

Also, is there evidence of Adam owning a weapon? Was his plan to die just going to the mountains and meditating himself to death?

Adam for sure was vulnerable and probably at risk mentally when he passed but it seems to me someone took advantage of his current state and decided it was a great time to get rid of him and frame Tony.

I strongly believe by the time that car was found Adam was long dead. Adam's romantic life was purposely avoided in the segment the clues could be there.

A lot of people took Adam's sister's statement and ran with it:

“At the beginning, Adam was an elite, preppy businessman. He drove a great car and taught tennis. And then he met Tony, and it just all changed. And he became a mystical person, and I just didn’t know him anymore.”


I personal believe Adam and Tony were in a relationship and something happened. What we will never know. I do think drugs played a factor and mental illness.

Adam not only came from money he was a really good looking guy so its hard for me to believe there is no mention of a girlfriend or boyfriend. Adam was closeted in my opinion.

For those who didn't read already this is from CD's blog:

There is another person in Adam’s life at the time of his disappearance that has never been mentioned before publicly, but was very much a negative influence according to his brother. Harold mentioned that real estate broker Andrew Gombiner and Adam were close around the time he went missing. They had met when Adam was tutored by Andrew’s successful tutoring business he had for Beverly Hills High School and developed a friendship. In a newspaper article from 1987, Andrew is referred to as “a boyish looking Beverly Hills High School graduate who used the earnings from a student tutoring service to become a successful real estate syndicator before 25.” The story I was told, however, is that Gombiner was involved in some very questionable real estate deals. Harold thinks that Adam was scammed out of money by Gombiner. He also said that, at Gombiner’s urging, Adam convinced his mother to invest over $100,000 in these “limited partnership” apartment complexes that went belly up and she lost all of her investment. Harold and his mother think that the risks and the benefits of the venture were misrepresented and several people, including Gombiner’s father, also lost money. So, it appears there were other people in Adam’s life at the time he went missing as well who were manipulative and taking advantage of him in his somewhat vulnerable state.

I tend to think that this case comes down to one question: do you believe Adam was the one who abandoned the car, or someone else? If you think it was Adam, as I do, then it's probably either a suicide or death from exposure. If you think it was someone else, then you would think it's probably foul play.

I just don't see the logic behind this conclusion based on where the car was parked. If his car had been found outside the city within walking distance of mountains or forest, then yeah I could buy suicide or exposure. But given where it was, that theory is a stretch. If he was going to go out in the woods or up in the mountains to either commit suicide or meditate and just got lost or succumb to the elements, why would he park in the city? Why not just drive out to there?

I don't suspect anyone else parked the car, otherwise they probably would have cleaned it out of money and other valuables. But that is not a certainty, especially if the motive was not robbery.

I just don't see the logic behind this conclusion based on where the car was parked. If his car had been found outside the city within walking distance of mountains or forest, then yeah I could buy suicide or exposure.

It was parked roughly an hour walk from Franklin Canyon Park.

But given where it was, that theory is a stretch. If he was going to go out in the woods or up in the mountains to either commit suicide or meditate and just got lost or succumb to the elements, why would he park in the city? Why not just drive out to there?

I cannot answer why a suicidal person would do things that others would consider irrational, but I can speculate: he ditched his car and all of his other material possessions behind in the city because he was leaving that life behind. Either literally or figuratively.

I don't suspect anyone else parked the car, otherwise they probably would have cleaned it out of money and other valuables. But that is not a certainty, especially if the motive was not robbery.

So you concede that Adam parked the car. Then what happened to him, and why has no one ever seen this man after June 7th, 1989? Not one alleged sighting of him anywhere.

This discussion is starting to remind me of the one about Blair Adams where he was found beaten to death surrounded by foreign currency and yet everyone believes he beat himself to death.

I am not aware of anyone who currently thinks Blair Adams killed himself.

Had there been prior suicide attempts I would be inclined to believe perhaps this is what happened to Adam. I'm puzzled why Adam would leave his rental parked when he allegedly went to the mountains to kill himself.

If you're going to kill yourself, do you really care where you leave your vehicle?

Also, is there evidence of Adam owning a weapon? Was his plan to die just going to the mountains and meditating himself to death?

You do not need a weapon to commit suicide.

I personal believe Adam and Tony were in a relationship and something happened. What we will never know. I do think drugs played a factor and mental illness.

There is nothing to suggest that Adam and Tony were in any other relationship than a platonic one.

From crystaldawn's article:

Then in early June of 1989, Harold and Adam had a worthwhile, lengthy discussion about the meaning of life and somethings that Adam was struggling with at the time. He remembers Adam was a little resistant to open up but Harold wanted to be there for his brother and listened to Adam and did what he could to be a comfort. Adam seemed to be going through a transitional phase as far as what was next for him and was in a vulnerable state, his brother believes. A few days later, Harold was concerned after not being able to reach Adam. He went to his apartment to check on him.

Tony is the only reason this case is as mysterious as it is. If he didn't exist, would anyone believe that Adam met with foul play?

Tony is the only reason this case is as mysterious as it is. If he didn't exist, would anyone believe that Adam met with foul play?

I'd venture the camp would still be split, as there has been no proof either way.