10 Celebrity Disappearances That Can't Be Explained
Jim Sullivan
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A singer-songwriter and guitarist, Sullivan released two studio albums between 1969 and 1972. Though he wasn’t hugely popular in his day, his work has since developed a following, due in part to the cultural intrigue surrounding his disappearance. Sullivan was headed to Nashville when he checked into New Mexico’s La Mesa Motel on March 5, 1975. However, he apparently didn’t stay the night, and there are reports saying he was spotted on the 6th at a ranch over 25 miles away. His car, for its part, was deserted with most of his belongings. Sullivan left behind the likes of cash, clothes, and even his guitar, and it seems no one has seen him since.
Rico Harris
Standing at 6’9’’, Rico Harris was a college basketball star who played for Cal State Northridge. He later briefly signed with the Harlem Globetrotters, but a head injury forced him to retire at 24. Following a period dealing with substance use disorder, Harris decided to move to Washington from California to be with his long-distance partner. But he disappeared shortly after going to see his family in October of 2014. After driving all night, Harris phoned his girlfriend and told her that he would be stopping to get some sleep. And with that, he vanished. His backpack, cell phone, and vehicle were recovered in California’s Yolo County over the course of the investigation, but none contained clues as to his whereabouts.
Bison Dele
Another basketball player, Bison Dele played for a number of NBA teams throughout the 1990s, including the title-winning ‘97 Bulls. He retired a few years later. In July of 2002, Dele took part in an ocean voyage with his girlfriend, Serena Karlan, and brother, Miles Dabord. They, alongside Captain Saldo, set sail on July 6, but the boat returned about two weeks later carrying only Dabord. The latter proceeded to commit identity fraud, posing as his missing sibling and purchasing copious amounts of gold. A sting operation was launched to catch him, but he ultimately passed after consuming too much insulin, leaving behind many unanswered questions. The FBI believes that Dabord killed Dele, Karlan, and Saldo, though it’s never been confirmed.
Michael Rockefeller
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The great grandson of John D. Rockefeller and son of Vice President Nelson Rockefeller, Michael was educated in history and wished to examine the Asmat tribe of Netherlands New Guinea. However, he went missing in the region on November 19, 1961. His canoe had capsized three miles from shore, and he reportedly decided to swim for it. Though a thorough search was carried out, neither Rockefeller nor his remains were found. It’s believed that he died in the attempt, likely exhausting himself from the swim and drowning. Others say that he did indeed reach land, only to be killed. All we have is circumstantial evidence, and without a body, we may never know the truth about his presumed death.
Richey Edwards
Shortly after their debut single was released in 1988, Richey Edwards joined rock band Manic Street Preachers as their lyricist and rhythm guitarist. He stayed with the group until 1995, when he disappeared. Edwards had reportedly been acting strangely in the days leading up to his presumed passing, withdrawing nearly £3,000 from the bank and giving away various gifts. He then vanished after leaving a hotel room on the morning of February 1. Many of his belongings were left behind, and his car was later found abandoned at a rest stop. Some have reported seeing Edwards in the intervening years, while others think he took his own life. His vehicle was found near the Severn Bridge, which is often used as a jumping site.
Barbara Newhall Follett
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Widely considered to be a prodigy, Barbara Newhall Follett published her debut novel, titled “The House Without Windows,” at just twelve years old. Another quickly followed, and both were praised by major outlets. However, a series of personal problems soon afflicted Follett, and her writing career stagnated. She later married a man named Nickerson Rogers, but this failed to bring her happiness and she fell into depression by the late 1930s. The couple reportedly fought on December 7, 1939, prompting her to leave their residence. She did not return. Rogers took a while to report her missing, saying he assumed she would come back. Answers were never found, but Follett’s mom suspected Rogers.
Oscar Zeta Acosta
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A good friend of Hunter S. Thompson, Oscar Zeta Acosta penned various books, but he is perhaps most well known for being the inspiration behind Dr. Gonzo in “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.” Thompson based his iconic novel on the experiences that he shared with Acosta while traveling to the desert city. The latter was visiting Sinaloa, Mexico in 1974 when he went missing. He apparently spoke to his son Marco shortly before vanishing, but as far as we know, no one ever heard from him again after that. A number of people, including Marco and Thompson, believe that Acosta was killed.
Glenn Miller
One of the most successful artists of his time, Miller found enormous popularity with his eponymous swing band. The group in its original form was only active between 1938 and 1942, yet they enjoyed sixteen chart-topping singles and recorded the first gold record, “Chattanooga Choo Choo.” But Miller entered the Air Forces during World War II and subsequently went missing in action. Despite not having permission, he attempted to fly over the English Channel with some acquaintances on December 15, 1944. All disappeared with the plane. Miller was officially declared dead one year and one day later, in accordance with American military practice. Today, his name can be found on the Tablets of the Missing at England’s Cambridge American Cemetery.
Jimmy Hoffa
While not a celebrity in the traditional sense, Jimmy Hoffa was nevertheless a very prominent figure owing to his relation with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. This is the prominent labor union that he ran for nearly fifteen years, between 1957 and 1971. He also had deep ties with organized crime, and many people believe that his disappearance stems from this relationship. Hoffa reportedly had a scheduled meeting with mobsters Anthony Provenzano and Anthony Giacalone on July 30, 1975. They didn’t come, and Hoffa phoned both his wife and friend to voice his frustrations. He was never heard from again and was declared dead seven years later. Nothing is definite, but many historians think that the Mafia is behind his death.
Amelia Earhart
Amelia Earhart made history in 1932 by flying across the Atlantic alone — something no other woman had accomplished before her. An enormous public figure of her time, she also notably penned popular books based on her airborne journeys. In 1937, she and navigator Fred Noonan attempted to fly around the world in a Lockheed Model 10 Electra. They made it to New Guinea and departed from there on the morning of July 2. While their destination was the uninhabited Howland Island, they never arrived. The disappearance made national news and has spawned countless conspiracies and genuine beliefs. The most popular explanation is that Earhart and Noonan crashed into the Pacific after running out of gas. No irrefutable evidence has been found either way.
