In February 1977, Helen Brach — heir to the Brach’s Candy fortune — vanished without a trace.

She was one of the wealthiest women in America. A widow dividing her time between Chicago, Florida, and her small Ohio hometown.

Then she disappeared.

There was no body. No confirmed crime scene. Almost no physical evidence.

Nearly twenty years later, a horse trader named Richard Bailey was charged in connection with her disappearance — a charge he denies.

In this premiere episode of The Missing Candy Heiress, we return to the beginning.

Through exclusive interviews with Helen’s family, rare archival audio, and newly uncovered material, we examine the life of the woman behind the headlines — and the unresolved questions that have lingered for nearly fifty years.

This is not just the story of a disappearance.

It’s a story about money, influence, and the shadowy world surrounding one of Chicago’s most enduring mysteries.

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The Missing Candy Heiress is produced, directed, and written by Jonathan Rocks and Beth McNamara. All material is copyrighted.

Legal Disclaimer: All individuals referenced in this podcast are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law in the United States.