
- 337 pages
- English
- PDF
- Available on iOS & Android
eBook - PDF
About this book
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.
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.
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Information
Publisher
Rowman & Littlefield PublishersYear
2025eBook ISBN
9798881865269Edition
1Table of contents
- Cover
- Half Title
- Title Page
- Copyright Page
- Dedication
- Chapter 1: One Spectacular Flying Leap
- Chapter 2: A God-Given Do-Over
- Chapter 3: Casseroles and Comfort
- Chapter 4: Sunshine Is Straight Ahead
- Chapter 5: That Hinky Feeling
- Chapter 6: Two Men on the Move
- Chapter 7: The Unholy Trinity
- Chapter 8: Under the Table and in the Shadows
- Chapter 9: Ticket to Paradise
- Chapter 10: A Fast-Talking, Slick Attorney
- Chapter 11: Hypnotism and Strange Sightings
- Chapter 12: Transformed into the Perfect Image
- Chapter 13: A Series of Seismic Shocks
- Chapter 14: Exploits, Perils, and Pitfalls
- Chapter 15: The Case of the Violet Paste
- Chapter 16: The Calm and the Storm
- Chapter 17: Lighting the Fuse, Running Like Hell
- Chapter 18: Plastic Palm Trees and Peril
- Chapter 19: The Look of a Worthy Adversary
- Chapter 20: From Out of the Sea!
- Chapter 21: Zombies and Aliens
- Chapter 22: The Story of a Strange Love
- Chapter 23: Heroes in the Spotlight
- Chapter 24: A Burning, Searing Secret
- Chapter 25: A Side Trip to the House of Love
- Chapter 26: Twists, Turns, and Accusations
- Chapter 27: The Rock and the Role
- Chapter 28: A Book and Movie Deal
- Chapter 29: A Broadcast and a Bestseller
- Chapter 30: Laughing All the Way
- Chapter 31: In the Aftermath
- Appendix A
- Appendix B
- Bibliography
- Index
- About the Author