A nation was captivated. With each passing day, the story got stranger and more puzzling—with a cast of characters so hard to believe, but for the fact they were real.
Robert Vernon Spears WWI Aviator, Entrepreneur, Journalist, Dallas Doctor, Hypnotist
“The devotion of man to the principle of exact justice shines out of every act”
William Allen Taylor Dr Spears' best friend of over 30 years
"I spent the money to have a good time"
Frances Spears Wife of Doctor Spears "Turska was the one to fear!"
Alice Steele Ex-wife of William Allen Taylor
"Dr. Spears—that character. I loathed him!"
William Albert Turska Dr Spears' confidant, shady operative
"I told him you couldn't change the character you'd been building all those years. But he wouldn't listen"
Donald A. Loomis Hollywood Icon, former MGM fitness guru and "doctor to the stars".
"Spears told me if I ever received a letter from him in the future it would be written from Brazil”
Robert H. Reddick Dr Spears' confidant, psychiatrist on the Manhattan Project "Yes, I administered license examinations in my living room. Any claims that the medical board license exams were illegal are false"
Paul Blaine Henrie Al Taylor's stepson, convicted art forger "We had the impression that Spears was very well-to-do"
Herman Zander Lieutenant,Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD)
"We were watching Loomis for quite a while, and then when we found Spears, and saw how crudely he operated, we moved in at once"
(Photo with Permission, Getty Images)
Dorothy Eastwood Hayes San Francisco Society Belle
"Bob Spears led me to believe that he had sufficient money to support both of us, and that he also had considerable money invested in oil in Oklahoma"
Annette Dorothy Sowa Ex-wife of Dr Spears' companion A chance encounter would ruin all of Dr. Spears' best laid plans.
Edmund Barker Friend of Frances Spears, Dallas journalist (later known for breaking news of the assassination of President JF Kennedy).
"Bob, we should consummate the deal as soon as possible. I think you will agree time is of the essence if the value is to hold up" (Photo with Permission, Getty Images)
Charles C. Faiman Dr. Spears' confidant, self-styled microbiologist
"There's some pressure coming from somewhere, but I don't know where it's from"
Alias "Albert O Thompson" Long-time friend and associate of Dr. Spears
"Mr Thompson, then and now, assumes the full responsibility for the offence"