On Tuesday, April 27, 1982, a Bossier City, Louisiana realtor, Jean McPhaul, was brutally murdered by a client who called himself "Dr. Zack". Despite a thorough investigation, the client was able to evade authorities. That is, until the U.S. Secret Service caught James "Mike" DeBardeleben, a notorious counterfeiter.
The similarities between Jean's case and that of Dorothy Miller's are ones I can't ignore. This week's episode is the first in a series examining the suspected and known victims of Mike DeBardeleben, and will conclude with a look at his life and crimes.
Could Mike DeBardeleben be the man responsible for Burlington, Iowa's oldest cold case?
Listen to Dorothy’s episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cardinal-crimes/id1781462994?i=1000743012634
Purchase Stephen Michaud’s book “Beyond Cruel” - https://books.apple.com/us/book/beyond-cruel/id6503722963
SOURCES:
- Reward Offered For Realtor Murdered, May 13, 1982, Bossier Press
- Debardeleben indicted in McPhaul case, June 7, 1984, UPI Archives
- Real Estate Saleswoman Murdered By ‘Customer’, April 29, 1982, The Daily Advertiser
- Full-Time Investigation Off, November 5, 1982, The Daily Advertiser
- Ex-Alabamian found slain in Louisiana, April 29, 1982, The Mobile Press
- Hines, Gary, No arrests in murder of local real estate woman, April 29, 1982, The Shreveport Journal
- Larsen, Dick, Murder probe shatters peace of neighborhood, April 29, 1982, The Shreveport Journal
- Larsen, Dick, Mysterious ‘Dr. Zack’ sought in real estate agent’s brutal murder, April 30, 1982, The Shreveport Journal
- Larsen, Dick, Detectives see no arrest looming in Mrs. McPhaul murder case, May 5, 1982, The Shreveport Journal
- Authorities no closer to arrest in McPhaul murder, May 17, 1982, The Shreveport Journal
- Larsen, Dick, Public asked to aid search, May 18, 1982, The Shreveport Journal
- Hines, Gary, McPhaul suspect Police find ‘solid’ lead in murder, June 14, 1982, The Shreveport Journal
- Hines, Gary, Police eye suspect in McPhaul murder, June 14, 1982, The Shreveport Journal
- Larsen, Dick, Despite many dead ends, detectives haven’t quit on McPhaul case, July 23, 1982, The Shreveport Journal
- Hines, Gary, Hunt for McPhaul killer fails, November 4, 1982, The Shreveport Journal
- Waddle, Ray, Realtor found slain in vacant Bossier home, April 29, 1982, The Times
- Waddle, Ray, Police get slaying suspect’s description, April 30, 1982, The Times
- Ivory, Lee, Tuesday began as usual day for realty firm, April 30, 1982, The Times
- Gingles, Keenan, ‘I guess I was last to see her al
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Theme Song: Shrouded Lament by james.lfo, William Claeson
