Crime Junkie
Crime Junkie
"I'm obsessed with this case, I know." — Ashley Flowers
"The whole thing was staged to look like a suicide. But there was no gun next to Doug. He was alone in his car with a gunshot wound to the head, yet investigators jumped to a possible suicide and then ultimately ruled his cause of death as undetermined." — Britt
"The FBI claims to have no such information. Almost like Chuck's case never existed and was never investigated." — Ashley Flowers
The episode details the baffling case of Charles "Chuck" Morgan, who disappeared in March 1977, only to reappear days later, claiming to have been drugged and held captive. His wife, Ruth, noted his increasing paranoia and strange behavior prior to his disappearance, including the purchase of a bulletproof vest and firearms. After his return, Chuck claimed to be a federal agent and hinted at possessing incriminating information on politicians, further deepening the mystery. His disappearance and subsequent death in June 1977, found shot in the head, ignited an investigation fraught with conflicting evidence and theories.
Investigators uncovered a complex background involving potential gold scams, land fraud, and alleged connections to organized crime families in Arizona. A mysterious caller, identifying herself as "Green Eyes," provided information to authorities, claiming Chuck was involved in shady dealings and that a contract was out on his life. Despite the Pima County Sheriff's Department ruling Chuck's death a suicide due to financial debts, the Medical Examiner remained unconvinced, listing the cause of death as "unknown." The involvement of federal agencies like the U.S. Customs Service and the FBI added layers of complexity, with investigations into Chuck's potential involvement in illegal transactions and a secret deposition he gave to the state.
The narrative further explores the possibility of a wider conspiracy, as investigative journalist Don DeVero looked into Chuck's death and uncovered potential links to organized crime. The episode highlights suspicious deaths of individuals associated with DeVero's investigation, including Doug Johnston and Danny Castelaro, suggesting these deaths were potentially staged suicides and cover-ups. The episode concludes with Chuck's daughters continuing to seek answers, believing their father was murdered to silence him regarding corruption involving businessmen and politicians, leaving the case officially cold after decades of unanswered questions.