1994 segment about an alleged drug kingpin who may have faked his death

[Kane]

I remember an UM segment about an alleged international drug kingpin who supposedly burned to death. But new information suggested that he had faked his own death.

The segment aired in the fall of 1994, but to my knowledge, it was never shown on Lifetime. Since a long time has passed since I saw the segment, a lot of my memories on the segment are vague. While I don't remember the man's name, I recall that his alleged death occurred in 1988.

Does anyone remember this segment?

[unsolved88]

I think his name was Wallace Thrasher. I have seen it on Lifetime, but it wasn't aired all that often.

[Kane]

Originally Posted by unsolved88

I think his name was Wallace Thrasher. I have seen it on Lifetime, but it wasn't aired all that often.

Apparently not. The Wallace Thrasher case, which aired during the 1994-95 season, was rerun on Lifetime. He was the man who was supposedly killed in a plane crash in 1984. He was a Virginia drug runner.

The case I was initially referring to was that of an alleged international drug kingpin who was supposedly incinerated in 1988. I recall that his "death" occurred outside the United States (possibly Central America or South America).

[wiseguy182]

Thanks for posting that, Kane. I actually don't know if I've seen that segment. I've seen quite a few segments dealing with criminals that either died or staged their own deaths and are on the run that I'm getting them confused.

While I do evaluate UM on a case by case basis, I would theorize that all of the criminals profiled in the "did they die or stage their own death" category are most likely faking their own deaths. Given that most criminals don't enjoy going to prison/jail and a good number of them are habitual offenders that have to satisfy their urge.

[SP4CE INV4DERZ]

I believe you are talking about John Rubus? He was a drug lord who "died"? in a burnt out car in Puerto Rico.

[Kane]

Originally Posted by Space Invaderz

I believe you are talking about John Rubus? He was a drug lord who "died"? in a burnt out car in Puerto Rico.

The alleged body of the man was found in a burned car. That's one of the things I remember about the segment. I could be talking about John Rubus (if that's the correct spelling of his last name).

[SP4CE INV4DERZ]

Originally Posted by Kane

The alleged body of the man was found in a burned car. That's one of the things I remember about the segment. I could be talking about John Rubus (if that's the correct spelling of his last name).

John Rubus (I don't think UM screens the correct spelling of his name) was identified by the only pieces of evidence left in the burnt out car, a fragment of a jaw bone and 4 loose teeth. The body and car was discovered on March 7th 1988 so you do have a pretty good memory.

[Kane]

Originally Posted by Space Invaderz

John Rubus (I don't think UM screens the correct spelling of his name) was identified by the only pieces of evidence left in the burnt out car, a fragment of a jaw bone and 4 loose teeth. The body and car was discovered on March 7th 1988 so you do have a pretty good memory.

Thanks. Sometimes, trivial things such as the year of someone's death (or alleged death) can be why one might remember a particular case.

By the way, does anyone know the current status of the case?

[Awsi Dooger]

Originally Posted by wiseguy182

While I do evaluate UM on a case by case basis, I would theorize that all of the criminals profiled in the "did they die or stage their own death" category are most likely faking their own deaths. Given that most criminals don't enjoy going to prison/jail and a good number of them are habitual offenders that have to satisfy their urge.

I would go completely the other way on that. If the question is dead or faking death, give me death every time. With apologies to Patrick Henry, who may be faking it these past few hundred years.

Many of the most tiresome cases on UM, and other shows, are ones in which grand conspiratorial schemes are speculated involving missing persons. I can understand it to a degree, since family members want to believe the person is alive and pulled a big con, making that person greater in absentia than he ever was day to day. And law enforcement certainly needs to be cautious, particularly at the outset. But far too often the show and the people involved try to pretend the likelihood is 50/50 or even greater toward a faked death, when the true odds are fractionally that, probably hundreds or thousands to one in most cases.

[SP4CE INV4DERZ]

Originally Posted by Kane

Thanks. Sometimes, trivial things such as the year of someone's death (or alleged death) can be why one might remember a particular case.

By the way, does anyone know the current status of the case?

My copy UM doesn't give an update so I'm not sure. Also I should have mentioned that one of Rubus' (Stack pronounces it Roobus) accomplices claims to have received a phone call a month after the fire.

Originally Posted by Awsi Dooger

If the question is dead or faking death, give me death every time.

You gotta be joking right?

[crystaldawn]

I just watched this segment today thanks to SI and I don't think it was ever aired on Lifetime. He was a prolific drug lord who is thought to have smuggled tens of millions of drugs into the midwestern US in the early 80's. I can't find anything out about him on the net though concerning whether he is still alive. Maybe you'll have better luck Kane. Btw I noticed a wanted poster on the segment and his name is spelled John Roubas if that helps any.