Jerry Jamison - Vanishing Act cover art

Jerry Jamison - Vanishing Act

Jerry Jamison - Vanishing Act

Listen for free

View show details

About this listen

Over a span of 39 years, 25 aliases, 28 arrests in 20 cities, and nearly a dozen imprisonments, Robert Spears lived a con artist's life of unparalleled adventure and intrigue. But that is far from the end of his story.

Shortly before Thanksgiving Day in 1959, a plane exploded in mid-air, killing all forty-two passengers and crew and leaving scattered debris and bodies across the otherwise tranquil Gulf waters. Listed on the manifest was Dr. Robert Spears—once the highly regarded president of the Texas Naturopathic Association. Father of two small children with a lovely, society-minded wife and an elegant home in an exclusive neighborhood, it was a monumental tragedy for his family as it was for all the souls lost that day.Less than two months later, Robert Spears miraculously “rose from the dead” in Phoenix where he was promptly arrested. Headlining newspapers nationwide—“Man Downs Airliner to Fake Death”—Spears was discovered to have cleverly switched identities and persuaded a friend, Al Taylor, to fly with his plane ticket. Asking him to carry “a package” on board, Spears drove away in his buddy’s car with his wallet and driver’s license.

As the FBI began to investigate, they uncovered a stunning, mind-bending tale of murder, abortion rings, and false identities, as well as insurance scams and medical fraud that stretched over decades. Methodically and carefully researched through FBI records, Vanishing Act fully tells the complete and shocking story of con man Robert Spears for the first time.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What listeners say about Jerry Jamison - Vanishing Act

Average Customer Ratings

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.