A few nights ago, the segment about the unsolved murder of Gary Simmons was shown. The segment starts off about this bus driver that always got a creepy feeling about a cave that was nearby the busyard that he worked at. One day, he got the courage to go into the cave, and discovered a skeleton. The skeleton was determined to be Gary Simmons, a businessman who went missing in 1975. Right before he went missing, Gary Simmons was buying an expensive horse from a man named Jim Dixon, who is the main suspect for Gary Simmon's disappearance. But during the filming of the segment, a man came forward and said that Gary Simmon's disappearance wasn't related to a bad horse deal, but was more than likely related to him buying black-market gas, because Gary owned a chain of gas-stations,which were doing poorly during the Arab oil embargo in the early seventies. The police still think that Jim Dixon is the main suspect and want him for questioning.

This segment was on LAST NIGHT! That was the first time I had seen it! It was VERY spooky to say the least.

Yes, it was spooky and what made it more so for me was that it took place less than an hour from my house and I'm well acquainted with that area. I had no idea that went on there.

The suspect's name is actually Tom Dixon, and he was officially charged with the auto theft of Gary Simmon's car. Unfortunately, so many years have gone by now that the staute of limitations has probably run out, and Dixon may in fact be dead. He hasn't been seen in thirty years, and there's no indication that he'll resurface now. :( This is a case that has ALWAYS bothered me. It will probably never be solved because evidence and witnesses have been lost over time. I sincerely hope I'm wrong.

The suspect's name is actually Tom Dixon, and he was officially charged with the auto theft of Gary Simmon's car. Unfortunately, so many years have gone by now that the staute of limitations has probably run out, and Dixon may in fact be dead. He hasn't been seen in thirty years, and there's no indication that he'll resurface now. :( This is a case that has ALWAYS bothered me. It will probably never be solved because evidence and witnesses have been lost over time. I sincerely hope I'm wrong.

I just saw this segment today and was wondering if there was any update on this case. It is so strange that Dixon was able to disappear completely as well. One thing that perplexed me a little was when a cop that was interviewed said something like they never looked at the two disappearances suspiciously until a body was found. The cop just said that they looked at it as two men who were simply missing. Would they not have thought it suspicious way back in '74 that these two missing men just happened to be meeting over a $30k horse deal??? There was ample evidence of the two men getting together to make such a deal so one would think that alarm bells would have gone off for the police but didn't for some reason.

I just saw this segment today and was wondering if there was any update on this case. It is so strange that Dixon was able to disappear completely as well. One thing that perplexed me a little was when a cop that was interviewed said something like they never looked at the two disappearances suspiciously until a body was found. The cop just said that they looked at it as two men who were simply missing. Would they not have thought it suspicious way back in '74 that these two missing men just happened to be meeting over a $30k horse deal??? There was ample evidence of the two men getting together to make such a deal so one would think that alarm bells would have gone off for the police but didn't for some reason.

no updates. Yeah, that is strange they didn't think to put 2 + 2 together. I noticed you also posted about the Swedish hitchhiker murders, I have this episode on tape as well.

I see this listed under underrated case. It sure was, it was a creepy case full of intrigue. It seems that Dixon could be guilty but with that witness late in the broadcast telling UM that he saw Simmons call his bank and look at the horse he was buying it threw the case in a totally different direction.

I see this listed under underrated case. It sure was, it was a creepy case full of intrigue. It seems that Dixon could be guilty but with that witness late in the broadcast telling UM that he saw Simmons call his bank and look at the horse he was buying it threw the case in a totally different direction.


did you get update on this case

always thought this was one of those strange cases where there was more to it than the broadcast said.

For one thing, this Tom Dixon guy almost nothing seemed to be known about him. I mean where did he come from, did this guy have friends? Family who knew him and did he just dissapear?

Tom Dixon sounds like an alias anyway, I am betting he was some kind of con man and that wasn't even his real name, who may have lived in this area for a short time but no one really knew anything about him. I mean he just vanished off the face of the Earth after this.

Also, I'm surprised the guy at the junkyard he tried to get to smash the car didn't get suspicous. I mean who asks somebody to smash a perfectly good automobile unless they have something to hide? That ought to set off warning bells in anyone's head. If you don't need a vehicle anymore you sell it.

always thought this was one of those strange cases where there was more to it than the broadcast said.

For one thing, this Tom Dixon guy almost nothing seemed to be known about him. I mean where did he come from, did this guy have friends? Family who knew him and did he just dissapear?

Tom Dixon sounds like an alias anyway, I am betting he was some kind of con man and that wasn't even his real name, who may have lived in this area for a short time but no one really knew anything about him. I mean he just vanished off the face of the Earth after this.

Also, I'm surprised the guy at the junkyard he tried to get to smash the car didn't get suspicous. I mean who asks somebody to smash a perfectly good automobile unless they have something to hide? That ought to set off warning bells in anyone's head. If you don't need a vehicle anymore you sell it.


I wonder if Gary had even bothered to research Tom Dixon's background. But then again, if he had been using an alias, maybe it would've been complicated to do so. Who knows though.

I wonder if Gary had even bothered to research Tom Dixon's background. But then again, if he had been using an alias, maybe it would've been complicated to do so. Who knows though.

yeah thats what I'm saying, the UM broadcast as best as I can remember mentioned nothing about this guy's background. Its like he was in this area, made this deal with Simmons, he turns up dead and Dixon dissapears off the face of the Earth. Nothing before it, nothing afterward.

Thats why I believe Tom Dixon may have been an alias, and this guy was a conman whose true identity is unknown. Unless there was more than the broadcast revealed. Its relatively easy for a person who doesn't actually exist to dissapear, someone who wants to pull something underhanded may go to a different area, use a made up name, pull of the job, go back to his actual identity, and presto, there is no more Tom Dixon. You don't even neccessarily have to make fake identifications, just move in and introduce yourself to a few people under a name then you are that person. It was probably a little easier in the early 70's than it would be today because there is so much more focus on identification nowadays.

The unusual thing though is that con men don't typically murder, there motivation is generally to bleed as much money as possible without attracting to much interest from the police. Getting your hands dirtied with murder attracts more attention from law enforcement and is generally detrimental to your scams. Makes me think this may have been a job gone wrong. Gary Simmons may have caught wind of Dixon's plans or found out more than he was supposed to know and Dixon had to kill him.

To bad we may never know the truth about this.

did you get update on this case

No update as far as I know.

yeah thats what I'm saying, the UM broadcast as best as I can remember mentioned nothing about this guy's background. Its like he was in this area, made this deal with Simmons, he turns up dead and Dixon dissapears off the face of the Earth. Nothing before it, nothing afterward.

Thats why I believe Tom Dixon may have been an alias, and this guy was a conman whose true identity is unknown. Unless there was more than the broadcast revealed. Its relatively easy for a person who doesn't actually exist to dissapear, someone who wants to pull something underhanded may go to a different area, use a made up name, pull of the job, go back to his actual identity, and presto, there is no more Tom Dixon. You don't even neccessarily have to make fake identifications, just move in and introduce yourself to a few people under a name then you are that person. It was probably a little easier in the early 70's than it would be today because there is so much more focus on identification nowadays.

The unusual thing though is that con men don't typically murder, there motivation is generally to bleed as much money as possible without attracting to much interest from the police. Getting your hands dirtied with murder attracts more attention from law enforcement and is generally detrimental to your scams. Makes me think this may have been a job gone wrong. Gary Simmons may have caught wind of Dixon's plans or found out more than he was supposed to know and Dixon had to kill him.

To bad we may never know the truth about this.

I'm pretty sure judging by the photos UM got of Tom Dixon that he had a prior record of some kind due to one of the photos being a side on mug shot. I think Tom Dixon is probably his real name, I wonder what priors did he have?

Also, I'm surprised the guy at the junkyard he tried to get to smash the car didn't get suspicous. I mean who asks somebody to smash a perfectly good automobile unless they have something to hide? That ought to set off warning bells in anyone's head. If you don't need a vehicle anymore you sell it.

That scene is one of the more amusing WTF moments on UM, especially when Dixon asks for advice on what he should do, and the junkyard guy flat out tells him to put a brick on the accelerator and drive the car into the lake! I guess one of the prerequisites for working in a junkyard is a Ph.D in advising people how to cover up their crimes...

Yeah!! What was the junkyard guy thinking? Tell somebody to put a brick in the car and drive it in the lake?

Who in the right mind would suggest someone to do something like that?

It sounded as if he was making a sick joke or he knew exactly why Tom Dixon wanted not to just get rid of the car, but make it disappear for good, and so he gave him an ingenius suggestion.

And the way the guy gave the suggestion was like, 'hes done it before'.


Anybody slightly rational should have detected something 'amiss' here when a person wants to get rid of a in-no-way out of shape car so desperately and even so thoroughly to the point where its non-existant anymore.

Yeah!! What was the junkyard guy thinking? Tell somebody to put a brick in the car and drive it in the lake?

Who in the right mind would suggest someone to do something like that?

It sounded as if he was making a sick joke or he knew exactly why Tom Dixon wanted not to just get rid of the car, but make it disappear for good, and so he gave him an ingenius suggestion.

And the way the guy gave the suggestion was like, 'hes done it before'.


Anybody slightly rational should have detected something 'amiss' here when a person wants to get rid of a in-no-way out of shape car so desperately and even so thoroughly to the point where its non-existant anymore.

I think the junkyard man was probably involved a lot with criminals and dodgy dealings which is the reason why he didn't blink an eyelid suggesting what he did to Dixon.

I think the junkyard man was probably involved a lot with criminals and dodgy dealings which is the reason why he didn't blink an eyelid suggesting what he did to Dixon.

Yep, I think you're right. A regular businessman looking to make money would have probably charged the suspicious man to "destroy" the vehicle, get all pertinent information he could, let the man leave, then call the cops.

That way, he gets paid by the bad guy to destroy the car while handing the evidence over to the authorities. But if he had shady dealings with other criminals, turning that car over to the cops would have ruined any further business he could expect from them and possibly even mark him for retaliation.

It was just so dodgy for Dixon to crush a car without explaination and even more dodgy for the guy at the wreckers to suggest to dump it in the river. :lol:

Yep, I think you're right. A regular businessman looking to make money would have probably charged the suspicious man to "destroy" the vehicle, get all pertinent information he could, let the man leave, then call the cops.

That way, he gets paid by the bad guy to destroy the car while handing the evidence over to the authorities. But if he had shady dealings with other criminals, turning that car over to the cops would have ruined any further business he could expect from them and possibly even mark him for retaliation.

I don't necessarily agree with this. I personally think that hindsight is 20/20 but in the moment your mind isn't racing to the idea that the man standing in front of you is a criminal looking to destroy evidence. Remember, this happened many, many years ago. People weren't suspicious about things like this back then as much as they are today. Forensic and crime TV shows were not the norm back then like today. I think he might have thought something was off about the request, his mind just didn't jump directly to destroying evidence of a crime.

Makes me think this may have been a job gone wrong. Gary Simmons may have caught wind of Dixon's plans or found out more than he was supposed to know and Dixon had to kill him.

This is one of the most plausible theories I've read about ANY of the unsolved mysteries discussed on this board. However, I do wonder about the black market fuel. What made that guy show up spouting that particular theory? It ocurred to me that maybe the black market fuel badguys hired Tom Dixon to kill Gary? But, why go thru the whole horse scam bull? Why not just hire a thug to plug him on his way home from work one night, for example? I'm wanting to discount the whole black market fuel theory.

There is another Tom Dixon amongst the UM universe, Thomas David Dixon is a convicted bank robber put behind bars as a result of a UM viewers Tip, thought it was interesting but this Dixon is clearly younger than the elusive Tom Dixon from the Simmons murder case.

One lesson from this case if you ever become a bus driver and have a creepy feeling about a cave that is nearby, bring someone with you when you go into the cave.

That bus driver, Tyrone, must've been psychic or something. The body might not ever been discovered if it wasn't for his "creepy feeling".

Hi, I just re-watched this segment today and I realized a few perspectives missed out by myself and people earlier.

First, from the bus driver's perspective, I thought the segment should or could try to explain why the bus guy was having this premonition feeling about the cliff behind the bus yard.

Somehow it almost seems theres a supernatural linkage in this case where the ghost of the victim couldn't rest and reached out to the bus driver. You know I was somewhat expecting the segment to showcase some expert explaining that maybe the Tyrone guy had a brain wave frequency that was more in tune with another dimension or something; that's why the spirit of Gary Simmons was able to call out to him and not other bus drivers there.


Second, the segment failed to clarify was there ever a missing report filed for Gary Simmons when he disappeared in 1974? What were the findings of that investigation?

I thought it to be rather elementary / common sense to check out who was the individual that the missing person was last known to be with.

The secretary saw Gary Simmons and Tom Dixon leave the office together. And later she got phone calls instructing her to pay out Tom Dixon. And subsequently when Dixon collected the cheque alone later, or when Simmons didn't come back for work the next day, wouldn't there be at least some suspicion aroused at all?

If there was a missing report on Gary Simmons, and the police must have had questioned his secretary, if that was done, then wouldn't it be obvious that Tom Dixon would have become the prime suspect immediately since he was the last known person to have been with Simmons?


And yet, theres nothing. Its like nobody ever bothered to look at all.


WHY ?


It just seems so incomprehensible to me that this case could have just sat there for almost 2 decades until the bus driver's creepy discovery of the skeletal remains in the cave later.

This case was on the first unsolved mysteries ep I ever saw and thus it was my favorite case ever for a long time. It had from the missing case to even the supernatural case in the discovery of the body. To me the weird thing is if the case isn't about black market gas, why did that worker said so. I used to think he was trying to divert the case but now I think I was just exaggerating.

One of my favorites, just so intriguing. Would have been great if it was solved too.

This case was on the first unsolved mysteries ep I ever saw and thus it was my favorite case ever for a long time. It had from the missing case to even the supernatural case in the discovery of the body. To me the weird thing is if the case isn't about black market gas, why did that worker said so. I used to think he was trying to divert the case but now I think I was just exaggerating.


Well I guess its beyond any doubt that Tom Dixon is the killer.

If Gary Simmons' murder had any linkage to black market gas, then Tom Dixon would have had some involvement in gas dealings too. Or he was a hired gun by one of Gary's competitors and merely used the horse deal as a ruse to lure Simmons in.

Who the mastermind was will be the person who will stand to benefit the most from Simmons' death.

However, the segment practically never provided any background on Tom Dixon at all; he is such a shady character.

Man, if I was Tyrone the bus driver, I probably would have been scared about going to the police. I can't imagine how their conversation went:

"Um, yeah, I had a psychic intuition that there might be a body in this cave, so I went in there and found it."

Even though the crime had happened two decades beforehand, I'd still be worried the cops would suspect I was involved somehow.

Man, if I was Tyrone the bus driver, I probably would have been scared about going to the police. I can't imagine how their conversation went:

"Um, yeah, I had a psychic intuition that there might be a body in this cave, so I went in there and found it."

Even though the crime had happened two decades beforehand, I'd still be worried the cops would suspect I was involved somehow.


Its unlikely that Tyrone is a possible suspect in Gary Simmons' murder quite simply because of his age.

He would most probably be in his teens or even younger during 1974 when Simmons' murder took place.

Also, there is no possible connection that can be established that Simmons and Tyrone had some form of prior interaction/ relationship to link him up to the murder.

Plus, there is just a lack of motive. What possible motivation would Tyrone have wanting Simmons dead?

Last but not least, if Tyrone was indeed the killer, why would he be dumb enough to inform police about the case, much less say write a letter to UM ?

Well, cops are known for sometimes having tunnel vision when they can't find any obvious suspects in a crime. Yes, given his age, it's unlikely Tyrone could have committed the murder, but there's still the risk of being subject to intense interrogation by cops who could easily assume Tyrone knows who did commit the murder or is deliberately holding back information.

I think of that UM episode about Etta Smith, the psychic who found a woman's body and was locked up after reporting it to the police. They figured she was involved because they didn't believe she could know so much about the murder because of a vision.

I find Tyrone to be interesting not only because of how he reported the crime, but how he went into that cave alone in the first place. I would have been too afraid to go!

Sadly, I think finding Tom Dixon will continue to be difficult unless he slips up. If he is still alive, he's in his 80s.

I have a theory on this case. Basically it goes like this:

1. Gary Simmons was buying gas for gas stations during an oil crisis. The people I'm led to understand (from my own research. God bless google for being able to search newspapers) that he was buying it from were not very
nice people, and I'm guessing may have been connected to organized crime.

2. Due to the fact that he simply couldn't afford to pay for the gas anymore, Gary closed down 15 (of how many, I'm not sure) gas stations within a year of his death.

3. These same people who Gary was buying gas from were being investigated by congress for their practices (which weren't strictly legal) and it was specuiated at the time that Gary might be called to testify.

(here's where it gets interesting)

4. I believe Tom Dixon may have been tangled up with the same people. His photos (both of them) shown on the show are clearly from mug shots, so I feel this is a comfortable guess.

5. Tom may have owed these people $30,000, and was told that he could have the debt paid if he lured Gary with $30,000 into a phony business deal (or in this case, a horse sale). Strictly my guess.

6. Once this was done, these people may have killed Gary, and then possibly have killed Tom to ensure his silence and keep their money. Again, this is strictly my guess.

This could explain why Tom hasn't been seen since 1974. It could also explain how their mutual friend could have seen the horse Gary supposedly showed him. It also might explain a comment that Tom made to Gary's banker, that the $30,000 was to "Clear a debt". It's worth noting that for years (especially in the 70s and 80s) it was assumed that Tom never surfaced because he was thought to have been killed by the same people who killed Gary. That's the reason why an all-out manhunt never occurred for Tom after Gary's car was found.

Anyway, that's my take on it. There is not alot of coverage of this story anywhere. Any thoughts?

Jon.

I have a theory on this case. Basically it goes like this:

1. Gary Simmons was buying gas for gas stations during an oil crisis. The people I'm led to understand (from my own research. God bless google for being able to search newspapers) that he was buying it from were not very
nice people, and I'm guessing may have been connected to organized crime.

2. Due to the fact that he simply couldn't afford to pay for the gas anymore, Gary closed down 15 (of how many, I'm not sure) gas stations within a year of his death.

3. These same people who Gary was buying gas from were being investigated by congress for their practices (which weren't strictly legal) and it was specuiated at the time that Gary might be called to testify.

(here's where it gets interesting)

4. I believe Tom Dixon may have been tangled up with the same people. His photos (both of them) shown on the show are clearly from mug shots, so I feel this is a comfortable guess.

5. Tom may have owed these people $30,000, and was told that he could have the debt paid if he lured Gary with $30,000 into a phony business deal (or in this case, a horse sale). Strictly my guess.

6. Once this was done, these people may have killed Gary, and then possibly have killed Tom to ensure his silence and keep their money. Again, this is strictly my guess.

This could explain why Tom hasn't been seen since 1974. It could also explain how their mutual friend could have seen the horse Gary supposedly showed him. It also might explain a comment that Tom made to Gary's banker, that the $30,000 was to "Clear a debt". It's worth noting that for years (especially in the 70s and 80s) it was assumed that Tom never surfaced because he was thought to have been killed by the same people who killed Gary. That's the reason why an all-out manhunt never occurred for Tom after Gary's car was found.

Anyway, that's my take on it. There is not alot of coverage of this story anywhere. Any thoughts?

Jon.

Sounds plausible

It's possible; the private investigator hired by Simmons' family came to the same conclusion. The problem is the rumors about gas purchasing from illegal vendors were never officially substantiated. Simmons' secretary said (https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1908&dat=19911020&id=Wv0fAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Nv4EAAAAIBAJ&pg=1386,1249725&hl=en) that he purchased his gas from a major oil company. The head investigator at the time stated that the FBI could never come up with anything about the rumors. It's also not that hard to imagine that Dixon heard about Simmons' wealth via the horse show/sale grapevine (see below) and came up with the idea of kidnapping/murdering him under the pretense of looking at a horse.


It could also explain how their mutual friend could have seen the horse Gary supposedly showed him. It also might explain a comment that Tom made to Gary's banker, that the $30,000 was to "Clear a debt".

Dixon and Simmons were members of the same horse association, although it was speculated that they had met for the first time that morning. Simmons' secretary heard him say to Dixon, "I don't remember you." Dixon at the time resided in Stilwell, KS. If there was a third party involved, they might have had ties with both Dixon and Simmons due to the horse association. Some comments from the same article below.

Simmons had spoken previously of fearing "being kidnapped and forced to write checks for things" Compton said.

But Dixon, described as a "dabbler" whose occupations included carnival operator and job painter, was considered incapable of plotting Dixon's murder, Jackson said.

"We always believed there was a third party involved, because Tommy Dixon didn't have the smarts for this," he said.

Dixon did (https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2199&dat=19750423&id=utoxAAAAIBAJ&sjid=F-UFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3636,3412944&hl=en) cash the check and obtained the cash from two banks in $100 bills.

If Simmons actually went to see the horse as the guy on UM later alleged, whose horse was it? If he already had fears of being kidnapped, why didn't he check Dixon out with the horse association? Most guys in Dixon's income bracket wouldn't have had that expensive of a horse in their possession.

It's worth noting that for years (especially in the 70s and 80s) it was assumed that Tom never surfaced because he was thought to have been killed by the same people who killed Gary. That's the reason why an all-out manhunt never occurred for Tom after Gary's car was found.

Anyway, that's my take on it. There is not alot of coverage of this story anywhere. Any thoughts?

Jon.

I know this is an old post, and that it was from a one post wonder, but this is precisely what I think happened after rewatching this one again recently. It always felt odd to me that there was never a massive push into finding Dixon or Simmons (prior to his bones being found). Even after Simmons' remains were found, it doesn't seem like Dixon was pursued that feverishly. It's probably because the authorities had information which led them to believe that Dixon too was dead.

The guy playing Dixon looks incredibly familiar, is he a well established bit part Hollywood actor?

I know this is an old post, and that it was from a one post wonder, but this is precisely what I think happened after rewatching this one again recently. It always felt odd to me that there was never a massive push into finding Dixon or Simmons (prior to his bones being found). Even after Simmons' remains were found, it doesn't seem like Dixon was pursued that feverishly. It's probably because the authorities had information which led them to believe that Dixon too was dead.

If authorities had information that Dixon was dead......why not just confirm it and close the case?

If authorities had information that Dixon was dead......why not just confirm it and close the case?

I think they suspect he is dead, but without a body they cannot come out and say that's 100% what happened to him.

This story always gave me chills because while Tom Dixon seemed quite well known, he's presented as a rather elusive character in the segment itself. The elusive figures always creep me out--like the woman seen with the man in the Roxanne Jeeves case, or the "man in the military fatigues", or Chuck Brzezinski, the man wanted for questioning in the Stanley Gryziec case.

The elusive figures always creep me out.

For a small fee I will gladly be your elusive figure

For a small fee I will gladly be your elusive figure

Case in point.

I tried finding this segment on Amazon Prime but couldn't. Anyone know what episode it's on there?

I tried finding this segment on Amazon Prime but couldn't. Anyone know what episode it's on there?


Season 4 episode 21

Excellent! Watching it right now!

Anyone else think it's very odd or even unlikely that his remains could have been in that cave for 17 years before being found? Surely there must be have been people in there before exploring. Kids in the neighborhood, hikers, etc. I know if I had lived around there as a kid I would have found it.

Anyone else think it's very odd or even unlikely that his remains could have been in that cave for 17 years before being found? Surely there must be have been people in there before exploring. Kids in the neighborhood, hikers, etc. I know if I had lived around there as a kid I would have found it.

It all depends if that was the actual cave they used in the reenactment. It looked like just rock formations that was fenced in to the bus yard. It's an awkward place to walk which means carrying a corpse would have been difficult...and the cave is well hidden. I think very few people would have known that cave existed.

I do not buy Tyrone's story as he tells it: That for years he had mystical, dark premonitions about that rocky hill just nearby his bus garage; then one day, just because, he decides to go in for exploring and hallelujah!, he finds the remains of a body. Let's be real, this is too far-fetched even for the early 90s. While I have no doubt Tyrone could not be involved due to his young age there are other, more down-to-earth, explanations than "psychic feelings" behind Tyrone's story.

I do not believe either he was the first person from Independence, Missouri in almost twenty years to learn there was a cave in that hill, let alone another bus driver going to curiously visit that area on a lunch break. I am sure he was told by other bus drivers that a cave existed on that hill.

People gossip; surely, older people would chat about that weird business guy from Kansas City who came in the 70s to purchase a horse and suddenly vanished, and whose car was towed out of the Missouri River six months later. Or, maybe some people knew more about Gary Simmons and Tom Dixon than they'd let know to the authorities, or anyone for that matter. Hell, it might even be a sort of open secret in that area of the city, kinda like Frank Casteel with the Signal Mountain ATV murders: Everyone local knew Frank Casteel was a bit of a nutcase and he and his family was bound to be involved in the ATV killings, but they were too scared to go say it to the police. That story with the junkyard guy suggests that Tom Dixon wasn't the first person in Independence, Missouri, to come to him to get rid of another person's car, if you get what I suggest...

More than likely, Tyrone eavesdropped on a conversation - or was told by someone - that there were rumors and stories about of a dead body hidden behind that bus garage - or even that Gary Simmons' body was indeed hidden there. As a young man curiosity got the best of him, and he went to explore and find out. When he discovered the cave and discovered there was indeed a body, he got scared that he might be involved in something bigger than expected. Rather than reveal his source or put himself further in trouble, he invented that psychic hunch story to distance himself from how he heard about the rumors.

I do not buy Tyrone's story as he tells it: That for years he had mystical, dark premonitions about that rocky hill just nearby his bus garage; then one day, just because, he decides to go in for exploring and hallelujah!, he finds the remains of a body. Let's be real, this is too far-fetched even for the early 90s. While I am no doubt Tyrone could not be involved due to his young age there are other, more down-to-earth, explanations than "psychic feelings" behind Tyrone's story.

I do not believe either he was the first person from Independence, Missouri in almost twenty years to learn there was a cave in that hill, let alone another bus driver going to curiously visit that area on a lunch break. I am sure he was told by other bus drivers that a cave existed on that hill.

People gossip; surely, older people would chat about that weird business guy from Kansas City who came in the 70s to purchase a horse and suddenly vanished, and whose car was towed out of the Missouri River six months later. Or, maybe some people knew more about Gary Simmons and Tom Dixon than they'd let know to the authorities, or anyone for that matter. Hell, it might even be a sort of open secret in that area of the city, kinda like Frank Casteel with the Signal Mountain ATV murders: Everyone local knew Frank Casteel was a bit of a nutcase and he and his family was bound to be involved in the ATV killings, but they were too scared to go say it to the police. That story with the junkyard guy suggests that Tom Dixon was not the first person in Independence, Missouri, to come to him to get rid of another person's car, if you get what I suggest...

More than likely, Tyrone eavesdropped on a conversation - or was told by someone - that there were rumors and stories about of a dead body hidden behind that bus garage - or even that Gary Simmons' body was indeed hidden there. As a young man curiosity got the best of him, and he went to explore and find out. When he discovered the cave and discovered there was indeed a body, he got scared that he might be involved in something bigger than expected. Rather than reveal his source or put himself further in trouble, he invented that psychic hunch story to distance himself from how he heard about the rumors.

Never once thought of that, but I'd definitely buy it. Seems quite plausible.

Never once thought of that, but I'd definitely buy it. Seems quite plausible.

The whole segment has a really weird vibe. Right at the beginning of the segment RS himself underlines that it was Tyrone himself who wrote about that case to Unsolved Mysteries, as if he was insisting it should be covered. You'd think that after the discovery of Gary's body Independence LE would be the one contacting the production team, not the guy who found the body "on a hunch" one day. Yet, all the police has on Tom Dixon is an old, blurry mugshot, a few bank employees as witnesses, and a thin lead from a salvage guy brazen enough to openly admit that he suggested to the person of interest to get rid of the car by having it plunge into the River. Like this whole interaction as described isn't suspect at best!

They couldn't even prove the horse did in fact exist. And yet Roy Hylton, who actually knew both Tom Dixon and Gary Simmons, had to contact UM (almost 20 years later!) to confirm that the transaction was not bogus because Gary had actually shown him the horse. Was he present in the transaction, or did Gary drive to him with the horse wagon in tow to show him the horse? Because this means the transaction was indeed succesfully concluded and both parted ways, in effect completely nullifying LE's theory of a bogus horse deal in which Gary blindly gave Tom the check in hand before Tom immediately shot him in the head, hid the body in that cave, then fled in his car. That also creates a tighter business relationship between Gary Simmons and Tom Dixon, as both had Roy as a common acquaintance and Roy could probably vouch that Tom did own a horse. Was he even interviewed by investigators in the 1970s?

This suggests that Tom Dixon either did have ranch faclilities - or had acquaintance owning such facilities in the area. Yet just like that, the day after, some nameless "friend" of him tells authorities that he dumped Tom Dixon in a truck stop, then bye-bye like he was an unknown transient with 30,000$ in cash in his pockets? Does not make any sense... wasn't Tom Dixon a known resident of Independence owning assets locally before this whole affair?

Maybe someone from the Independence area could chime in and comment, but I have this odd feeling that the discovery of Gary Simmons' body was an inconvenience for authorities because it forced them to re-open that investigation. Even after that, it does not seem a lot of effort was put into finding Tom Dixon, suspected of a murder robbery. This is why I suspect Gary Simmons' fate - and Tom Dixon's - is a bit of a open secret, hush-hush affair both the area underworld and law enforcement.

The case is now considered even more complicated than before. Police believe that Tom Dixon may know who killed Gary Simmons, or may actually be the killer, but police only have enough evidence to have an arrest warrant for auto theft, in the stealing and subsequent destruction of Gary's vehicle. Dixon is 5'8", with brown or graying hair and green eyes. He is likely now in his 80s and authorities suggest that he might be deceased. Some investigators now believe that he was killed along with Gary. However, this has not been confirmed.

Uh, some investigators? What source does it come from? On what leads?

I'd really like to have RobinW's opinion on this case on TTWC. Consider it a fan's request. :) There are just too many odd things in this case that make it stick as one of the creepiest UM segments for me, because of that aura of nonchalance around it. It is not as eggregious as in Michael Rosemblum's story, but that segment is built on very thin information even from LE.

Maybe someone from the Independence area could chime in and comment, but I have this odd feeling that the discovery of Gary Simmons' body was an inconvenience for authorities because it forced them to re-open that investigation. Even after that, it does not seem a lot of effort was put into finding Tom Dixon, suspected of a murder robbery. This is why I suspect Gary Simmons' fate - and Tom Dixon's - is a bit of a open secret, hush-hush affair both the area underworld and law enforcement.


Great post and good point there - would be interesting to uncover any possible hidden connections that led to a theory/motive.

I have this odd feeling that the discovery of Gary Simmons' body was an inconvenience for authorities because it forced them to re-open that investigation. Even after that, it does not seem a lot of effort was put into finding Tom Dixon, suspected of a murder robbery. This is why I suspect Gary Simmons' fate - and Tom Dixon's - is a bit of a open secret, hush-hush affair both the area underworld and law enforcement.

Very interesting. Again, I could see it. It sort of reminds me of the update to the Scott Rossiter case in which the suspect, David O'Neil, ended up dead with several gunshot wounds to the head and buried in a field several miles away from Ingersoll, ON, where the Rossiter murder took place. There was some very brief commentary that maybe O'Neil was killed by some associates that didn't want any police attention on their activities. There wasn't even any appeal for anyone having any information to call--matter of fact, I seem to remember Stack saying something like, "Police think they'll never really know who killed David O'Neil", and leaving it at that. It seemed the police understood it was likely he was taken care of by his own, and as the guy was a 'cop killer', they themselves experienced no great sense of urgency in investigating his death.

There are just too many odd things in this case that make it stick as one of the creepiest UM segments for me, because of that aura of nonchalance around it. It is not as eggregious as in Michael Rosemblum's story, but that segment is built on very thin information even from LE.

Agreed. I think that's ultimately what makes it so creepy for me, too.

Here's a basic primer on the KC Mob (the Independence area falling under their control). If there's underworld connections, there might be at least one connection between Nicholas Civella and Dixon, Simmons or both of em.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kansas_City_crime_family

I'd really like to have RobinW's opinion on this case on TTWC. Consider it a fan's request. :)

I second that. I would loooooove a 'Trail Went Cold' podcast of this case.

I do not buy Tyrone's story as he tells it: That for years he had mystical, dark premonitions about that rocky hill just nearby his bus garage; then one day, just because, he decides to go in for exploring and hallelujah!, he finds the remains of a body. Let's be real, this is too far-fetched even for the early 90s. While I have no doubt Tyrone could not be involved due to his young age there are other, more down-to-earth, explanations than "psychic feelings" behind Tyrone's story.

Aww, come on, haven't you too ever experienced intuition?

Your theory, as Stack would say, adds another layer to an already complex case. :crazy:;) Maybe he did hear rumors but I don't get why he wouldn't just be honest about it. He had nothing to gain by explaining that he just got a feeling....JMO, I'm not disagreeing with you. :) Just thinking about what you said.

The S04 Gary Simmons segment is one of the most convoluted mysteries that I've seen so far on this show.

If Tyrone Rollins hadn't gone into the cave behind the school bus depot & found Gary's body, he would probably still be missing. Bizarre that Rollins thought to look there at all.

There seems to be strong evidence that Tom Dixon killed Gary Simmons over the bogus?! horse deal, which is why he was allegedly seen (by the junk yard worker/owner) trying to get rid of Gary's car - that is, if you believe the junk yard employee's story. I.e., I don't see why Tom would have Gary's car unless he killed/incapacitated Gary and then stole the car. The car being found underwater later on adds credence to this; i.e., someone was trying to get rid of the evidence.

However, was the alleged black-market gasoline that Gary may have been involved in the real reason that he was killed - and was the horse "deal" just something that the killer used to distract the authorities who investigated the case?!

If Tom Dixon is still alive today, he would be pushing 90. So, I suspect he's deceased.

Watched this segment again and went googling for information. Didn't find much naturally, but came upon this article (link (https://medium.com/true-crime-addiction/a-horse-deal-gone-wrong-or-was-it-black-market-gasoline-26279cb3b04c)) which presents a theory I don't think I've seen mentioned.

All of it is predicated on Gary being involved with buying black market gas (which as someone else here stated, has never been substantiated) and as it goes, Uncle Sam saw the black market gas as being a problem and was looking to squash it. Some of the illicit suppliers saw Gary as possible threat and fearing that he would sell them out/testify against them, had him killed.

Tom Dixon also makes for a convenient henchman too - his & Simmons common interest in horses was used as cover. It simultaneously gave Simmons a false sense of safety/security, obscured the true nature of what was going on (thanks to the horse deal's complexity) and provided a payoff - either to Dixon, who presumably shot Simmons, or to a supplier Simmons could've possible owed money to.

The whole scenario also lends credence to the point about it being an "open secret, hush-hush affair". A low-level hood like Dixon concocting a bogus horse deal to swindle Simmons out of $30K and then shooting him isn't that nefarious (at least to the point where the powers that be would consider it an 'open secret'). A wider-ranging conspiracy involving a cadre of black-market oil suppliers and/or the mob on the other hand, would rise to that level.

Either way, with larger forces like that at work, I think Dixon was likely taken care of by a third party shortly after Simmons and to keep things nice and neat and dumped in the Missouri (thereby ensuring no one could unravel the sordid web that had been weaved)

Either way, with larger forces like that at work, I think Dixon was likely taken care of by a third party shortly after Simmons and to keep things nice and neat and dumped in the Missouri (thereby ensuring no one could unravel the sordid web that had been weaved)

This definitely is the most logical scenario, but the only wrench in this scenario is Roy Hylton, the man who knew both Dixon and Simmons, and who contended that the horse sale was legitimate. This (https://apnews.com/article/cf426a208f5d0da2af630c490f93e17e) article also says that the original investigators did not believe the illegal oil rumors.

Something about this case that confuses me is in the UM segment itself. Tom Dixon was referred to first as the horse seller, and later as an agent for the seller himself. Which is it? Did Tom Dixon own the horse Simmons wanted to buy, or was he a third party rep for the seller?

Something about this case that confuses me is in the UM segment itself. Tom Dixon was referred to first as the horse seller, and later as an agent for the seller himself. Which is it? Did Tom Dixon own the horse Simmons wanted to buy, or was he a third party rep for the seller?

I think Tom Dixon was the go-between with the horse seller and Gary Simmons.

I grew up in independence MO not far from where the body was found, there are caves all over the place. Someone had to be very familiar with that area to be able to get a body back in there without being seen. Also I find it odd that no one around here ever heard anything t about gary Simmons until his body was found. It’s line he was missing all these years abs no one batted an eye

Here's a basic primer on the KC Mob (the Independence area falling under their control). If there's underworld connections, there might be at least one connection between Nicholas Civella and Dixon, Simmons or both of em.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kansas_City_crime_family

Civella worked for the local teamsters construction union. Local 541. He would have been very familiar with those caves as teamster drivers hauled the limestone out of them.

Watched this segment again and went googling for information. Didn't find much naturally, but came upon this article (link (https://medium.com/true-crime-addiction/a-horse-deal-gone-wrong-or-was-it-black-market-gasoline-26279cb3b04c)) which presents a theory I don't think I've seen mentioned.

All of it is predicated on Gary being involved with buying black market gas (which as someone else here stated, has never been substantiated) and as it goes, Uncle Sam saw the black market gas as being a problem and was looking to squash it. Some of the illicit suppliers saw Gary as possible threat and fearing that he would sell them out/testify against them, had him killed.

Tom Dixon also makes for a convenient henchman too - his & Simmons common interest in horses was used as cover. It simultaneously gave Simmons a false sense of safety/security, obscured the true nature of what was going on (thanks to the horse deal's complexity) and provided a payoff - either to Dixon, who presumably shot Simmons, or to a supplier Simmons could've possible owed money to.

The whole scenario also lends credence to the point about it being an "open secret, hush-hush affair". A low-level hood like Dixon concocting a bogus horse deal to swindle Simmons out of $30K and then shooting him isn't that nefarious (at least to the point where the powers that be would consider it an 'open secret'). A wider-ranging conspiracy involving a cadre of black-market oil suppliers and/or the mob on the other hand, would rise to that level.

Either way, with larger forces like that at work, I think Dixon was likely taken care of by a third party shortly after Simmons and to keep things nice and neat and dumped in the Missouri (thereby ensuring no one could unravel the sordid web that had been weaved)
This is absolutely plausible. Mob was very active in KC in the 1970s

Have u listened to robins new Trail Went Cold? He did some good research on Gary Simmons case! The junkyard guy was friends with Tom Dixon! This makes more sense as he,
junkyard employer, was unsurprisingly helping his friend out. But he lied to detectives in '74 as he said Dixon was there later that day (of Gary's murder) helping out the junkyard with tasks. 17 years later after the body was found detectives approached the same junkyard worker. He lied to detectives as he changed his story. Now he said Tom brought Gary's car to the yard. And detectives still think a 3rd man was involved. Now it makes sense why Toms body was never found in another country or had multiple sightings btwn lets say 1975 and 1999 for example = because the mysterious 3rd man in charge killed his friend Dixon days after Dixon murdered Gary! This friend was the one in Gary's UM segment dropping Dixon off at a truck stop. How come no truckers verified Toms long cross country ride (or drive)? Because tom was never dropped off at the local truckstop. The 3rd man, which TTWC mentions his name, made that story up to keep police off him. Sadly the 3rd man died in 1982....and i mean sad that we want him alive to arrest him if he did it. I later thot Tom killed gary and toms friend killed him. (If u recall the weird UM thing where Tom Dixon was acting on behalf of a horses agent and later UM made it seem like Tom was the horses agent!!?? Thus i think tom was acting on behalf of the horses owner (the mysterious 3rd man whom tom was friends with) both men made sure to keep the ID of the 3rd man a secret. Why? To throw off police. But even more so to keep the 3rd man out of the loop! And thats what happened. These past 45 years many have only looked at tom dixon. They should have looked at toms "friend" despite him dying around 1982 ish. On TTWC i was shocked at new info disclosed where both Tom and the 3rd man were seen hours after garys murder going around town paying off debts! I got even more surprised at this: days after tom dixon disappeared the 3rd man/friend was seen spending more money than usual...! And police did question him though later on the 3rd guy (that evil loser) got upset and refused more interviews! He did it i think!

After listening to the recent TTWC show i think Tom Dixon never killed Gary Simmons! Toms friend the 3rd guy, killed Gary Simmons while Tom Dixon was going around town to Gary's office, the bank, etc. You notice in the UM segment that Tom is too busy to do a deal, kill Gary, then go out and complete more tasks like nothing happened. I think the 3rd man met up with Gary and had a professional meeting or two with Gary that went well. We see Gary lkg for someone at the restaurant. He was meeting up again with the 3rd man. Shortly after Gary gets murdered by him. Few days later tom dixon is killed off by the 3rd man! The 3rd man lied to Tom saying they can kidnap Gary, steal his $30,000, threaten his life but let him live. Later tom finds out that his friend OFFED Gary. The 2 get into an argument but still go about. Later on they argue again and Tom gets killed. Tom doesnt kill Gary. The 3rd man killed both Gary n Tom! You notice in TTWC that BOTH thieves are seen in town paying off debts with Simmon's money: this means both didn't want to go on the run! Tom wanted to stay as he had a wife and family that was in huge debts. Tom wanted to catch up and have less debt. He wanted to stay yet his friend murders him. You notice the 3rd man remained in town until his untimely death in 1982 proving the 3rd man wanted to stay in town and did so! Update: i now think Tom really did believe his friend (3rd man) had a horse indeed for sale legally! Tom was setup too. This is why Gary had a calm n normal demeaner while talking to his secretary and his bank mngr. Both Gary & Tom assumed this was legit deal. The 3rd man deceived both men and killed both.

After listening to the recent TTWC show i think Tom Dixon never killed Gary Simmons! Toms friend the 3rd guy, killed Gary Simmons while Tom Dixon was going around town to Gary's office, the bank, etc. You notice in the UM segment that Tom is too busy to do a deal, kill Gary, then go out and complete more tasks like nothing happened. I think the 3rd man met up with Gary and had a professional meeting or two with Gary that went well. We see Gary lkg for someone at the restaurant. He was meeting up again with the 3rd man. Shortly after Gary gets murdered by him. Few days later tom dixon is killed off by the 3rd man! The 3rd man lied to Tom saying they can kidnap Gary, steal his $30,000, threaten his life but let him live. Later tom finds out that his friend OFFED Gary. The 2 get into an argument but still go about. Later on they argue again and Tom gets killed. Tom doesnt kill Gary. The 3rd man killed both Gary n Tom! You notice in TTWC that BOTH thieves are seen in town paying off debts with Simmon's money: this means both didn't want to go on the run! Tom wanted to stay as he had a wife and family that was in huge debts. Tom wanted to catch up and have less debt. He wanted to stay yet his friend murders him. You notice the 3rd man remained in town until his untimely death in 1982 proving the 3rd man wanted to stay in town and did so! Update: i now think Tom really did believe his friend (3rd man) had a horse indeed for sale legally! Tom was setup too. This is why Gary had a calm n normal demeaner while talking to his secretary and his bank mngr. Both Gary & Tom assumed this was legit deal. The 3rd man deceived both men and killed both.

A big deal was made of the fact that Gary changed his appointment and called to endorse a check, which were things he never did. I think those may have been calls for help or at least to give people a clue that something was off. Unfortunately, neither was caught until it was too late.

So i have been watching this segment quite bit recently since I’m originally from Springfield Missouri and travel up to Overland Park a few times a year.

In the beginning of the story assuming this is how it actually started Gary is seen stopping at a horse show or horse ranch and talking to a guy by the name of Buddy. Buddy mentions the horse to Gary and then mentions Tom Dixon.

Assuming that is how Gary first heard about the horse and about Tom Dixon is it possible that this guy Buddy set Gary up because he knew Gary had a lot of money and could afford the horse? My theory is Buddy hired Dixon to get the check from Gary to give to Buddy and then Buddy and Dixon both shot Gary or Dixon alone shot Gary gave the check to buddy and then Buddy shot and killed Dixon so he could have the money himself. If that makes sense?

I don’t actually think there was a horse but i do somewhat believe the story of black market gasoline but i don’t know much about the Oil Embargo at that time other then the fact that billionaire brothers Charles and David Koch almost went bankrupt because of it along with many others.

Some other notes and one question

1. Does anyone know if the hidden cave is still in independence? I would like to explore it if it is there.

2. Also when i found Gary on to find a grave i was shocked that he was only 32 when he died i thought he was in his early to mid 40s also before Gary died in August of 74 his 29 year old Brother Larry died in May of that same year and both his parents died within a month of each other in April and May of 1972. Gary Little brother Jerry died November of 2016 at the age of 67. I just feel really bad for the whole family and especially for Jerry having to go through all those loses in such a short period of time at only 24 and 26 years old must have been really hard on him.


https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/91341165/gary-ross-simmons

The body was found not far from where I grew up. Always found this case mind blowing from start to finish. Like what made that bus driver want to wander into that cave ?

So i have been watching this segment quite bit recently since I’m originally from Springfield Missouri and travel up to Overland Park a few times a year.

In the beginning of the story assuming this is how it actually started Gary is seen stopping at a horse show or horse ranch and talking to a guy by the name of Buddy. Buddy mentions the horse to Gary and then mentions Tom Dixon.

Assuming that is how Gary first heard about the horse and about Tom Dixon is it possible that this guy Buddy set Gary up because he knew Gary had a lot of money and could afford the horse? My theory is Buddy hired Dixon to get the check from Gary to give to Buddy and then Buddy and Dixon both shot Gary or Dixon alone shot Gary gave the check to buddy and then Buddy shot and killed Dixon so he could have the money himself. If that makes sense?

I don’t actually think there was a horse but i do somewhat believe the story of black market gasoline but i don’t know much about the Oil Embargo at that time other then the fact that billionaire brothers Charles and David Koch almost went bankrupt because of it along with many others.

Some other notes and one question

1. Does anyone know if the hidden cave is still in independence? I would like to explore it if it is there.

2. Also when i found Gary on to find a grave i was shocked that he was only 32 when he died i thought he was in his early to mid 40s also before Gary died in August of 74 his 29 year old Brother Larry died in May of that same year and both his parents died within a month of each other in April and May of 1972. Gary Little brother Jerry died November of 2016 at the age of 67. I just feel really bad for the whole family and especially for Jerry having to go through all those loses in such a short period of time at only 24 and 26 years old must have been really hard on him.


https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/91341165/gary-ross-simmons
Cave is still there, it’s off 291 hwy, not sure exactly which cave it is as there all all over. With some research I’m sure we could find out exactly where that school bus station was at this time

After listening to the recent TTWC show i think Tom Dixon never killed Gary Simmons! Toms friend the 3rd guy, killed Gary Simmons while Tom Dixon was going around town to Gary's office, the bank, etc. You notice in the UM segment that Tom is too busy to do a deal, kill Gary, then go out and complete more tasks like nothing happened. I think the 3rd man met up with Gary and had a professional meeting or two with Gary that went well. We see Gary lkg for someone at the restaurant. He was meeting up again with the 3rd man. Shortly after Gary gets murdered by him. Few days later tom dixon is killed off by the 3rd man! The 3rd man lied to Tom saying they can kidnap Gary, steal his $30,000, threaten his life but let him live. Later tom finds out that his friend OFFED Gary. The 2 get into an argument but still go about. Later on they argue again and Tom gets killed. Tom doesnt kill Gary. The 3rd man killed both Gary n Tom! You notice in TTWC that BOTH thieves are seen in town paying off debts with Simmon's money: this means both didn't want to go on the run! Tom wanted to stay as he had a wife and family that was in huge debts. Tom wanted to catch up and have less debt. He wanted to stay yet his friend murders him. You notice the 3rd man remained in town until his untimely death in 1982 proving the 3rd man wanted to stay in town and did so! Update: i now think Tom really did believe his friend (3rd man) had a horse indeed for sale legally! Tom was setup too. This is why Gary had a calm n normal demeaner while talking to his secretary and his bank mngr. Both Gary & Tom assumed this was legit deal. The 3rd man deceived both men and killed both.

Where can you hear this show ?

Where can you hear this show ?

Just search for The Trail Went Cold Podcast.

After listening to the recent TTWC show i think Tom Dixon never killed Gary Simmons! Toms friend the 3rd guy, killed Gary Simmons while Tom Dixon was going around town to Gary's office, the bank, etc. You notice in the UM segment that Tom is too busy to do a deal, kill Gary, then go out and complete more tasks like nothing happened. I think the 3rd man met up with Gary and had a professional meeting or two with Gary that went well. We see Gary lkg for someone at the restaurant. He was meeting up again with the 3rd man. Shortly after Gary gets murdered by him. Few days later tom dixon is killed off by the 3rd man! The 3rd man lied to Tom saying they can kidnap Gary, steal his $30,000, threaten his life but let him live. Later tom finds out that his friend OFFED Gary. The 2 get into an argument but still go about. Later on they argue again and Tom gets killed. Tom doesnt kill Gary. The 3rd man killed both Gary n Tom! You notice in TTWC that BOTH thieves are seen in town paying off debts with Simmon's money: this means both didn't want to go on the run! Tom wanted to stay as he had a wife and family that was in huge debts. Tom wanted to catch up and have less debt. He wanted to stay yet his friend murders him. You notice the 3rd man remained in town until his untimely death in 1982 proving the 3rd man wanted to stay in town and did so! Update: i now think Tom really did believe his friend (3rd man) had a horse indeed for sale legally! Tom was setup too. This is why Gary had a calm n normal demeaner while talking to his secretary and his bank mngr. Both Gary & Tom assumed this was legit deal. The 3rd man deceived both men and killed both.

Well that podcast actually did answer a few questions. Tom Dixon was indeed a real guy who was known by many and had a family. So he wasn't some scam artist using an alias. It sounds like the owner of the junkyard may have been in on whatever happened here. He didn't tell his story for 17 years and then only when UM was doing the episode. It was also reported that he was spending a lot of money right after Gary and Tom went missing.

I dont doubt that Dixon was also set up and killed right after Gary, his body just has not been found. Much more at play here than we know.

I do not buy Tyrone's story as he tells it: That for years he had mystical, dark premonitions about that rocky hill just nearby his bus garage; then one day, just because, he decides to go in for exploring and hallelujah!, he finds the remains of a body. Let's be real, this is too far-fetched even for the early 90s. While I have no doubt Tyrone could not be involved due to his young age there are other, more down-to-earth, explanations than "psychic feelings" behind Tyrone's story.

I do not believe either he was the first person from Independence, Missouri in almost twenty years to learn there was a cave in that hill, let alone another bus driver going to curiously visit that area on a lunch break. I am sure he was told by other bus drivers that a cave existed on that hill.

People gossip; surely, older people would chat about that weird business guy from Kansas City who came in the 70s to purchase a horse and suddenly vanished, and whose car was towed out of the Missouri River six months later. Or, maybe some people knew more about Gary Simmons and Tom Dixon than they'd let know to the authorities, or anyone for that matter. Hell, it might even be a sort of open secret in that area of the city, kinda like Frank Casteel with the Signal Mountain ATV murders: Everyone local knew Frank Casteel was a bit of a nutcase and he and his family was bound to be involved in the ATV killings, but they were too scared to go say it to the police. That story with the junkyard guy suggests that Tom Dixon wasn't the first person in Independence, Missouri, to come to him to get rid of another person's car, if you get what I suggest...

More than likely, Tyrone eavesdropped on a conversation - or was told by someone - that there were rumors and stories about of a dead body hidden behind that bus garage - or even that Gary Simmons' body was indeed hidden there. As a young man curiosity got the best of him, and he went to explore and find out. When he discovered the cave and discovered there was indeed a body, he got scared that he might be involved in something bigger than expected. Rather than reveal his source or put himself further in trouble, he invented that psychic hunch story to distance himself from how he heard about the rumors.

I see no reason not to take his story at face value. He says he had a dark premonition about the place, and yet had a curiosity to eventually go there. Seems reasonable enough.
If he was so worried about what he was getting into why say anything at all, much less go on national television to tell about it? That makes no sense at all.

The trouble with the gas stations makes it seem odd that the guy was going to drop $30k on a horse at the same time. I would not be surprised if there was not really a horse.

Dixon might have been real, at least if the podcast is to be believed, but that is not to say his name was actually Dixon originally, just that he was known by that name in that place at that time.

Here's my (wild) theory: yes, Tom Dixon was a con artist who was out to swindle Gary Simmons through a bogus horse sale. However, as the deal was going down, Gary and Tom inadvertently crossed paths with whomever was after Gary for the black market gasoline. From there, one of two things happened: either he/she/they killed Tom (after killing Gary) and got rid of his body because Tom had seen too much; or Tom managed to get away, but went into hiding out of fears of being discovered by Gary's actual killer(s). Therefore, in a sense, both Gary and Tom were at the wrong place, at the wrong time.

Cave is still there, it’s off 291 hwy, not sure exactly which cave it is as there all all over. With some research I’m sure we could find out exactly where that school bus station was at this time

Ugh. I have tried before to find that cave on Street View for the photo location thread. So I googled "bus yard," and "Independence, Missouri," but every bus yard I found didn't connect to a rocky outcrop like in the segment.

I wonder if this isn't a bus yard anymore and maybe that's why I have had trouble locating it.

This segment always bothered me. Mainly because we are given no info as to how local LE or the townspeople reacted when Gary just up and vanished after being seen with Tom Dixon. His own bank had multiple people who saw Dixon the day Gary vanished. Dixon was also apparently well known in the town as Stack makes mention that a friend of Dixon's dropped him off at a truck stop. Roy Hilton knew him, as per the segment. I'm curious why police did not interview Dixon immediately? A ton of loose ends could have been tied up within a few days.

It's also strange to me that more wasn't done after Gary's car was found. Granted, we weren't told in the segment how LE acted after the car was found but it's just strange that this man disappears after writing a $30k check and more wasn't done way back then.

Hey this is very interesting - that the junkyard friend of Tom Dixon was in on this too!!?? It would make sense - if they were all friends or acquaintances - the junkyard guy would initially be tempted to use his car_smashing_machine or "hot melting" thing to eliminate Gary Simmons car. Yet, since he works there and knows the FBI has kept an eye on his "hot melting car machine" thingy that using it is a no-no! So instead the Junkyard Worker goes to Plan # B = throw Gary's car away in a lake or river. It seems like the 'Junkyard-Dog' was not involved per the UM segment and that rather he just gave his trouble-maker friend, Tom Dixon, some casual advice. I wonder if the "Junkyard-Dog" was a third person along with Tom and the mysterious 2nd man? But, why would a man (or group of men) kill a guy and remain in town? that makes no sense!

It only makes sense if Tom Dixon's friend used extra precaution to keep his 'name' out of everything and use Tom Dixon, conveniently, as his horse agent - so no one knows he is behind all of this. ==> Thus the mysterious friend can remain living in town as everyone will (and did) assume that Tom killed Gary.

Perhaps law enforcement could not use Tom Dixon's friend's name on UM because there was not enough evidence yet on him. Why did UM just say "Tom Dixon, acting on behalf of a horse's owner"? Why not tell us his name?!

Well that podcast actually did answer a few questions. Tom Dixon was indeed a real guy who was known by many and had a family. So he wasn't some scam artist using an alias. It sounds like the owner of the junkyard may have been in on whatever happened here. He didn't tell his story for 17 years and then only when UM was doing the episode. It was also reported that he was spending a lot of money right after Gary and Tom went missing.

I dont doubt that Dixon was also set up and killed right after Gary, his body just has not been found. Much more at play here than we know.

This segment always bothered me. Mainly because we are given no info as to how local LE or the townspeople reacted when Gary just up and vanished after being seen with Tom Dixon. His own bank had multiple people who saw Dixon the day Gary vanished. Dixon was also apparently well known in the town as Stack makes mention that a friend of Dixon's dropped him off at a truck stop. Roy Hilton knew him, as per the segment. I'm curious why police did not interview Dixon immediately? A ton of loose ends could have been tied up within a few days.

It's also strange to me that more wasn't done after Gary's car was found. Granted, we weren't told in the segment how LE acted after the car was found but it's just strange that this man disappears after writing a $30k check and more wasn't done way back then.

I agree with you on how the townspeople and LE acted after BOTH local men disappeared. What angered and confused me was the detective in the segment who said that he "just assumed 2 men had a big money deal-meeting and decided to leave together". I was like WTF!? I never heard LE say that on UM before and it ticked me off. Its like a cop out similar to other UM cases: oh they took off thus we have no need to open this mysterious double missing person case and spend money! His response was lazy and arrogant: you mean 2 men with an expensive so called 30k horse deal decided to leave together? Was he insinuating they were secret lovers? No thoughts from LE that 1 guy killed the other guy to steal his money?

Very interesting. Again, I could see it. It sort of reminds me of the update to the Scott Rossiter case in which the suspect, David O'Neil, ended up dead with several gunshot wounds to the head and buried in a field several miles away from Ingersoll, ON, where the Rossiter murder took place. There was some very brief commentary that maybe O'Neil was killed by some associates that didn't want any police attention on their activities. There wasn't even any appeal for anyone having any information to call--matter of fact, I seem to remember Stack saying something like, "Police think they'll never really know who killed David O'Neil", and leaving it at that. It seemed the police understood it was likely he was taken care of by his own, and as the guy was a 'cop killer', they themselves experienced no great sense of urgency in investigating his death.

I always viewed it that the police got revenge on this cop killer. That since one of their own killed the murderer - that was that. no one was gonna mess with the police department especially after they settled this secretly AND quickly. However, after reading your response maybe it was one of his friends that did him in? I still think it was the LE who acted quickly and took him out. The segment was too short. The update was short too.

Agreed. I think that's ultimately what makes it so creepy for me, too.

Sorry for responding to this 6 years later. As some of us already know during this time period Robin Warder did a podcast, and a very good one, on Gary Simmons. Robin said that Tyrone was a regular cave searcher. He read a newspaper article I think that said Tyrone was a fan of finding caves back then, which makes sense because when we were kids or teenagers we liked seeking out new creeks, new houses getting built, or other peoples forts, bike paths, scary railroad tracks, old bridges, empty haunted houses, and caves.

I think Tyrone got scared because he finally found a cave that contained a dead body. So he made up the story that he "felt weird" about this latest cave. Or maybe he was not scared but rather wanted to spice up his cave story. Instead of simply looking for caves and coming upon a murdered body - he had these feelings to add more mystery to the unsolved murder mystery...

I do not buy Tyrone's story as he tells it: That for years he had mystical, dark premonitions about that rocky hill just nearby his bus garage; then one day, just because, he decides to go in for exploring and hallelujah!, he finds the remains of a body. Let's be real, this is too far-fetched even for the early 90s. While I have no doubt Tyrone could not be involved due to his young age there are other, more down-to-earth, explanations than "psychic feelings" behind Tyrone's story.

I do not believe either he was the first person from Independence, Missouri in almost twenty years to learn there was a cave in that hill, let alone another bus driver going to curiously visit that area on a lunch break. I am sure he was told by other bus drivers that a cave existed on that hill.

People gossip; surely, older people would chat about that weird business guy from Kansas City who came in the 70s to purchase a horse and suddenly vanished, and whose car was towed out of the Missouri River six months later. Or, maybe some people knew more about Gary Simmons and Tom Dixon than they'd let know to the authorities, or anyone for that matter. Hell, it might even be a sort of open secret in that area of the city, kinda like Frank Casteel with the Signal Mountain ATV murders: Everyone local knew Frank Casteel was a bit of a nutcase and he and his family was bound to be involved in the ATV killings, but they were too scared to go say it to the police. That story with the junkyard guy suggests that Tom Dixon wasn't the first person in Independence, Missouri, to come to him to get rid of another person's car, if you get what I suggest...

More than likely, Tyrone eavesdropped on a conversation - or was told by someone - that there were rumors and stories about of a dead body hidden behind that bus garage - or even that Gary Simmons' body was indeed hidden there. As a young man curiosity got the best of him, and he went to explore and find out. When he discovered the cave and discovered there was indeed a body, he got scared that he might be involved in something bigger than expected. Rather than reveal his source or put himself further in trouble, he invented that psychic hunch story to distance himself from how he heard about the rumors.