In August 1991, the curtain fell on one of St. Petersburg’s most colorful figures. Robert Gierka was a man of contrasts: a dedicated nursing assistant by day and a master of the "Sawdust Circle" by night.
When he was found murdered in his 40th Avenue home a residence known as the "Museum of Whimsy"police were met with a crime scene that was as surreal as it was brutal.
In this episode, we explore the dual lives of the man known as "Roberto the Great," the specialized circus artifacts that vanished from his collection, and the "ghost" fingerprint that remains the primary link to a killer who has evaded justice for over three decades.
Case Facts & Details
Victim: Robert "Bobby" Gierka (Age 45).
Location: 845 40th Avenue North, St. Petersburg, FL.
Discovery Date: August 11, 1991.
The Scene: A "staged" environment where porcelain dolls were positioned to overlook the victim.
Stolen Property: Rare 1920s/30s Circus Route Books, professional ventriloquist puppets, and a 1983 Maroon Oldsmobile Omega (later recovered in Tampa).
Key Evidence: A latent fingerprint recovered from a porcelain clown and a "silent" DNA profile.
Call to Action: How You Can Help
The murder of Robert Gierka is an active cold case. We are calling on the community and the circus world to help turn the spotlight back on:
Memorabilia Collectors: If you have acquired rare circus Route Books or professional puppets with no clear provenance originating from the Florida area in the early 90s, please contact authorities.
Tips: If you have any information regarding this case, no matter how small, contact the St. Petersburg Police Cold Case Unit at (727) 893-7179.
Resources & Further Reading
St. Petersburg Police Department Cold Case Files.
The Tampa Bay Times Digital Archives (Search: Robert Gierka, 1991).
The Ringling Circus Museum Archives, Sarasota, FL.
