Here's everything we know about who killed Jack Wheeler, plus details on the White House aide and exclusive intel from series co-creator and executive producer Terry Meurer. With his background and long list of connections, it seems unlikely that there wouldn't be someone Wheeler could have turned to if he were about to become a whistleblower and was in fear for his life. Curious to know all the details? "Whats puzzling about that case is it wasnt just a random assault or street mugging. At least, not directly. Another relevant detail is that Wheeler suffered from bipolar disorder. He appeared disorientated and anxious in the video, it could be that he thought he was being followed and was extremely paranoid and hid in the dumpster. Footage shows the pharmacist offering to call Wheeler a cab and then Wheeler declining. According to an operations report originally obtained by The Daily Beast, a K-9 unit consisting of one bloodhound and . On the morning his body was discovered, his neighbor called the police to report a burglary at his place. Murphy's 1-year-old daughter, Jacklyn "Angel" Dobbs, remains missing. The police have largely dismissed this idea, yet they have no explanation for how Wheeler's phone wound up at the arson site. Her death was ruled a homicide. Wheeler was buried at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors in April of 2011. reporters on a platform technologically tailored to meet the needs of the modern reader. Around that same time, he sent an e-mail to Mitre, telling them that there had been a break-in in his home and that his Mitre badge, wallet, key fob, briefcase, and cellphone had been taken. But at this point, he said, police have no information about Wheeler's whereabouts that week. Reportedly he was rambling about how his briefcase had been stolen. 3:30 p.m. Wheeler is spotted in the area of 10th and Orange streets in Wilmington. if(document.querySelector("#ads")){ We have you covered Kim Kardashian shows off her real hips and butt in unedited new pics, Inside Josh Duggar's lonely 35th birthday in prison solitary confinement, Honey Boo Boo, 17, & boyfriend, 21, found with gun & drugs in car in arrest, Today's Hoda Kotb looks solemn on stroll with daughter amid show absence, 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP, Jack Wheeler's death is the focus of an Unsolved Mysteries episode, Jack's body was found in a Delaware landfill in December 2010, CCTV footage shows Jack in his final hours but has lead to questions from viewers, Jack's behaviour changed from the pharmacy to being dropped off at a parking garage, Netflix releases trailer for Unsolved Mysteries new episodes, New on Netflix: The best series and films released every day, The best movies on Netflix to watch right now, The most terrifying horrors to watch on Netflix right now, The best documentaries to watch on Netflix right now, The best comedies to watch on Netflix right now, The best thrillers to watch on Netflix right now, The best kids' shows on Netflix to watch right now, The best true crime series to watch on Netflix. Apparently, he spent the night and part of the day there. Volk is right. I feel like when it was said he heard the cab was traveling to Newark maybe he thought they said New York. Theories about Jack Wheeler's mysterious death run the gamut. He served three presidents -- Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and George W. Bush. Investigator Joe Salerno said that since Jack had a very strong network with the government, "he may have been a target of a murder-for-hire type situation. Steve Volk, an investigative journalist, said, "What we know is that at the time of his death, he was working as a consultant for the Mitre Corporation, which is a defense contracting firm. Klyce maintains Wheeler's death was a hired hit. "The way they disposed of his body, its a miracle anybody ever found it. Ex-Presidential Aide's Body Found in Landfill - ABC News Therefore, the authorities decided to retrace his last few days alive, which was initially thought to be relatively easy, since Jack rarely went anywhere without his cellphone and briefcase in hand. I don't deny he suffered from from a manic episode, but both him and Lam got murdered. How to Obtain Autopsy Reports & Results: 6 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow The first episode of Unsolved Mysteries shows evidence photos of the house in a state of disarray: there was a tree indoors, spices and broken dishes in the kitchen, and white Comet powder and Jacks West Point sword and shield on the floor. Got there and didnt recognize anything since he was already terrible with directions and was quite possibly in the middle of a mental break. }); Murphy was a 2018 graduate of Stevenson High School and lived with her daughter at the apartment building, Wheeling police said. Although the injuries don't add up, my guess was that he had had a mental break. MEAWW is an initialism for Media Entertainment Arts WorldWide. Wheeler's autopsy result concluded he died from blunt force trauma but as of today, his. The show uses re-enactments and in-depth interviews with professionals and loved ones to retell the circumstances surrounding old cases that are, well, unsolved. Another theory (which is favored by Wheeler's wife) is that Wheeler was killed by a hitman in the employ of corrupt politicians in New Castle, whom Wheeler was close to exposing. Wheeler lived in Washington, D.C. and part-time in the historic district of New Castle, Delaware. Subsequently, all the dumpsters in Newark were examined, and a partial DNA match with Jack from inside one of them was found. At the time of his death, Wheeler was a consultant for the Mitre Corporation, a not-for-profit organization in Virginia that manages federally-funded research and development centers that support various U.S. government agencies. My wife suggested something that I thought fit the details given, maybe while he was meandering around Newark he wandered out into the street and was hit by a car, he was dressed in all black. That just sounds like a pro to me.. Ultimately, his cause of death was determined to be blunt force trauma, and his manner of death was ruled a homicide. On Dec. 31, 2010, Wheeler's body was discovered as a garbage truck was being emptied at the Cherry Island Landfill in Wilmington, Delaware. The Mountbatten-Windsors have been recastagain. On 31st December 2010, the body of John P. Wheeler III (also known as Jack) was found in the Cherry Island Landfill in Delaware. Wheeler shows up on security footage later in the night. Wheeler did not go to work the following day on December 29he emailed that his home had been broken into and that his cellphone, badge, and briefcase were missing. Investigators were back at the landfill today, scouring for leads. Known as a font of comic book history trivia, he has delivered lectures on the history of American Comic Books, Japanese Manga, Doctor Who, and Cosplay at over a dozen conventions and served as an Expert In-Residence for a course on Graphic Novels for Librarians at the University of North Texas. Jack Wheeler did not have a known connection to the Nemours building, and investigators in Unsolved Mysteries believe his activities denote the behavior of someone trying to hide. Roughly forty minutes later, Wheeler was seen on another security camera in a Wilmington parking garage, looking disheveled and holding one of his shoes. The mystery surrounding Wheeler's death was never solved. And thats when everything changed. He moved easily among Washington's elite, working most recently as a military consultant. Unsolved Mysteries Volume 2 | Official Clip | No Evidence | Netflix, How Unsolved Mysteries Could Find Real Answers. Police have officially ruled Wheeler's death a homicide, though no killer is named or really even suspected. Jack was working in the area of cybersecurity. Another theory is that Wheeler's strange behavior wasn't related to his bipolar at all. Phone records show that he worked in DC for only a day. New York, Also, Jack was wearing only one shoe, carrying the other in his hand, and repeatedly telling the personnel there that his briefcase was stolen. Fell asleep in the dumpster. There is also the question of why he would have been beaten to death when it would have been far simpler to stage a home invasion gone wrong or some other scenario in which Wheeler could be shot to death. On the night before he died, security footage filmed Wheeler at a New Castle pharmacy. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), Jack WAS a patriot. Proponents of this theory point to the fact that Wheeler's briefcase has never been recovered and that he contacted his employer about the theft but not the police an action he would presumably avoid if he were fearful that classified information had been stolen from his home. Unsolved Mysteries: What Happened To Jack Wheeler's Wives - ScreenRant Discussing Jack's final hours show's co-creator Terry Meurer told The Wrap: "Jack went into the pharmacy and he asked the pharmacist, who he knew, to give him a ride to Wilmington. "We have no suspects at this time," Lt. Mark Farrall of the Newark police told ABC News. Murphy was discovered during a well-being check by Wheeling police after she failed to report to work on Tuesday. Most states require a written request for the autopsy report. He had one shoe off and the other shoe in his hand. What Happened To Jack Wheeler Unsolved Mysteries Case? Why would someone break into your house, destroy your spice rack and throw your Comet all around? He got his start writing for the legendary DC Comics digital fanzine Fanzing, before receiving his own column, The Mount. Fallows wrote a tribute to Wheeler in the Atlantic Magazine online, saying, "I feel terrible for his family and hope they will eventually find comfort in knowing how many important things he achieved. An endangered missing person advisory issued Thursday did not say where in Missouri the person and van were located. Taking to Twitter, one fan wrote: "@Unsolved did police interview the guys who gave Jack Wheeler a ride from the pharmacy to parking garage about what they talked about? "The sensational aspects of Jack's murder were what first attracted me. This resulted in the panicked criminals dumping Wheeler's body in a dumpster and running for it before their crime was reported. window.googletag.pubads().addEventListener('slotOnload', function(event) { He also, interestingly, asked for train fare, despite refusing the offer of a cab from parking attendants the night before. Where the Cast of 'Boy Meets World' Is Now, Don't Despair, But 'The Last of Us' Is Nearly Over, 'The Last of Us' Season 2 Might Start Filming Soon, Facts You Didn't Know About That '70s Show, The Cast of 'The Mandalorian' in Real Life, 'The Mandalorian' Season 3, Episode 1 Recap, 'The Mandalorian' Season 3 is About to Commence. Investigators believe that Jack spent the night of December 29 and part of the day on December 30 in the basement of the office building, and the last known footage of Jack alive is of him leaving the building in the evening of December 30. The theory of him being in the dumpster and getting compacted makes sense. Theories ranged from a professional hit in relation to Jack's job, or one of his previous positions, to his neighbours being responsible.More #UnsolvedMysteries cases: JoAnn Romain: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlyvrBvUkLoTsunami Spirits: https://youtu.be/e4ohyRvcuxUAlonzo Brooks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuJo7HDMeqoJoin the Internet Mystery Sleuths Discord server: https://discord.gg/QC36rVT And still wearing his West Point ring to boot? Content warning: violence. At least one shoe didnt agree with him. 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Anyone with information can call Wheeling police at (847) 459-2632. However, Jack was entirely in the wrong parking lot. Related: Everything Unsolved Mysteries Leaves Out About The Oslo Plaza Woman. I think perhaps no one has been on the reward because theyve already been paid, she said. Jack served in the Vietnam War and after he came back he began planning a memorial for all who fought and died there. We were not able to do an interview with the Newark [Delaware] police department. In its very first episode, Washington Insider Murder, the show chronicles the bizarre homicide of a former presidential aide, who was found dumped in a landfill in Wilmington, Delaware. In fact, he didnt communicate with either of them for the rest of his time alive. He was also limping, or maybe that was his normal gait, at the pharmacy. Additionally, it seems unlikely that Wheeler would have gone to ground without making some kind of effort to make sure his wife and children were protected if he thought he was being targeted by assassins as the result of a long-term investigation into government corruption. Who Killed Jack Wheeler? | Netflix's 'Unsolved Mysteries | Marie Claire Its not mentioned in episode. What happened to John 'Jack' Wheeler and how did he die? ga('ads.send', { He holds both an MS in Information Science from the University of North Texas and a BFA from the University of Texas at Arlington. DOWNLOAD THE FOX 32 CHICAGO APP FOR BREAKING NEWS ALERTS. "And they transported his body. But the question still remains as to why Jack was in Newark or a dumpster. Wheeler's body was discovered New Year's Eve as it was being dropped from a Newark, Del., city Dumpster into the Cherry Island landfill in Wilmington. A few days later, a neighbor noticed an open window and found Wheeler's New Castle home in disarray, with a copy ofThe Long Gray Line(in which Wheeler is featured) on the table. Wheelerwho was also diagnosed with bipolar disorderwas found dead in a landfill after a night of . These Are the 30 Best True Crime Podcasts, bipolar disorder could have predispositioned. Hours later, he was seen in an office building unconnected to him, wandering around, staying the night, camouflaging himself in a hoodie, and walking away. And since the trash surrounding his body was determined to be from there as well, it is plausible that it happened. Some type of black garment covered his upper torso area. In 2017, Wheeler's wife Kathy Klyce toldWashington Post she believed he messed with the wrong person. John Wheeler: Decade after White House aide's body was found in dumpster, agencies still clueless about murder. Yes, he did have a second home in New Castle, Delaware, but Wilmington was a completely different area. He is carrying one shoe. From 1978 to 1986, Jack served as special counsel to chairman, and secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), from 1988 to 1989, he was in President G H W Bushs transition team, from 2005 to 2008, he worked as the special assistant to the secretary of the Air Force, and from 2009-2010 he worked as a consultant in Mitre Corporation. He was last seen alive on 10th Street and Orange in. hitType: 'event', Wheeler's death was ruled a homicide, due to the intensive damage dealt to his body, which included a punctured lung, broken ribs and a wound on his head. (More on that later). Clueless and 8 Mile star Brittany Murphy was only 32 years old when she passed away from what her autopsy declared was pneumonia. His entire life had been dedicated to public service, even as he personally battled depression and bipolar disorder. He's also the subject of anUnsolved Mysteriesepisode. Was John P. Wheeler Murdered? That Now Seems To Be Increasingly Likely Over the course of his travels to the dump, he could have had several dumpsters worth of trash compacted against him. I think he might have pissed someone off, his wife Kathy told the Washington Post in 2017, and I think his movements reflected that. However, the main problem with this theory is that Wheeler wasn't robbed: He still was wearing an expensive watch and his West Point ring when his body was found. A neighbor, Robert Dill, reported the potential burglary when he noticed the second floor window of Jack's house was open. So, who killed Jack Wheeler? For what it's worth, Klyce believes her husband's death was a planned assassination. Given Wheeler's connections at the Pentagon and his background in biological warfare and cybersecurity, it's possible that he could have been the Edward Snowden before Edward Snowden had he discovered something illegal. (opens in new tab)Wheeler's body was found on December 31, 2010, in a landfill, under mysterious circumstances. Whatever the truth behind Jack Wheeler's death, it cannot be denied that Unsolved Mysteries Volume 2 chose an incredibly intriguing case with which to open its new season. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Wheeler's body was discovered December 31, 2010 in the Cherry Island Landfill in Wilmington, Delaware. John P. Wheeler III, (opens in new tab)known as "Jack," was a graduate of prestigious military academy West Point with a long and impressive resum: presidential aide to Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, and George W. Bush, a critical part of getting the Vietnam Veterans Memorial built, and eventually a consultant at Mitre working on classified information in cybersecurity. "Jack's murder has all these facts around it that just naturally confound," investigative journalist Steve Volk says in the episode entitled "Washington Insider Murder. As heard in episode one of Unsolved Mysteries, Jack Wheeler was murdered on December 30, 2010. Like those would be some of the first people I would talk to. Receipts indicate he had purchased black clothing and a full-face ski mask. The second season of the hit Netflix series features a number of different cases, with one episode focusing on the mysterious 2010 disappearance of former presidential aide Jack Wheeler. Unfortunately, right towards the end of 2010, he lost it all, and it was under the strangest of circumstances. That in and of itself seemed strange lol. Jack Wheeler's death is the focus of an Unsolved Mysteries episode Credit: YouTube Jack's body was found in a Delaware landfill one day after his disappearance in December 2010, having last. Related: Unsolved Mysteries: How The Original Series Is Still Solving Cases. It was,apparently (opens in new tab), not the only office building he went to; he also visited a Mitre office. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), 'Unsolved Mysteries': Theories Behind Jack Wheeler's Disappearance & Death MEAWW brings you the best content from its global team of He was blocks away from where he had actually left his car. Unsolved Mysteries is back and more haunting than ever.The first episode of the season's second volume explores what happened to John "Jack" Wheeler. Without Jacks phone, all the investigators had was video surveillance to track him. He feared somebody had broken in. Episode One of Netflix's Unsolved Mysteries Volume Two details the death of a former Pentagon official and presidential aide. However, there are two main schools of thought regarding that his death was somehow related to his bipolar disorder. Because of the way Jack Wheeler was found, it was evident that foul play was involved, so as soon as the investigators arrived, they secured the landfill and began combing through the tons and tons of trash for any evidence. Also whats up with the sword and shield on his kitchen floor powdered with comet or something? In 2011, Kathy Klyce told Slate that she suspects the murder was a hired hit. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, murdered, and his body dumped with the garbage into a landfill, Wheeler's body was discovered New Year's Eve. Investigators said his body was disposed of in a dumpster. 2023 FOX Television Stations, from SAT 8:00 PM CST until WED 4:30 AM CST, Newton County, until SUN 12:00 PM CST, Lake County, Kenosha County, from SAT 12:00 PM CST until WED 6:00 AM CST, Jasper County, from SUN 6:00 AM CST until MON 6:00 AM CST, Lake County, Newton County, is in effect, Kane County, Lake County, McHenry County, Porter County, Jasper County, Indiana State Police trooper killed after suspect fleeing from police strikes him with vehicle on I-69, 6 injured, 2 seriously in 3-car crash on Near West Side, Feds raid suburban Chicago home of businessman who ran for state office, Lightfoot loses re-election bid, this is the date she will leave office, Police investigate 4 smash-and-grabs in Chicago suburb, Man found shot to death in North Side home: police, Police Chase: Gunman waits for kids to cross street near Lakewood; Opens fire at several different locations, Chicago weather: Slushy, stormy conditions take hold Friday, Replay Lincoln Park transforms into iconic 'Paddy's Pub'. However, no concrete motive or evidence has ever surfaced in the decade since the dedicated public servant was killed. ga('ads.send', { Even weirder was the presence of Wheeler's ceremonial West Point sword and shield on the floor, covered in spilled cleaning supplies. His family confirmed that Jack was directionally challenged, and his behavior could have been due to his Bipolar disorder. "'I thought it was a little odd,' says [a hacker he spoke to]. They left his watch, they left his money," Meurer tells Parade.com. The puzzling death of former White House aide Jack Wheeler is explored in a new episode of "Unsolved Mysteries." By Gina Tron. if(document.querySelector("#adunit")){ Jan. 3, 2011— -- John Wheeler fought for dignity and honor for the fallen of the Vietnam War. }); One of the more disturbing aspects of Wheeler's case was that he apparently had some kind of medical episode during the two days he was wandering the streets of Wilmington. Who Is Hasnat Khan, Princess Dianas Boyfriend on Season 5 of The Crown. }); On December 28, 1010, smoke bombs were set in the aforementioned home construction, and Wheeler's phone was found at the scene. They specialize in stuff like artificial intelligence, satellite systems for the military. Everything Unsolved Mysteries Leaves Out About Tiffany Valiante's Death Inside the kitchen area, Dill found the door ajar, a plant tipped over, spices and cleaning supplies knocked onto the floor and broken dishes in the sink. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. And why dont they ask more introspective and investigative questions to his wife about her husbands demeanor, mood, idiosyncrasies days before he died? He didn't seem panicked at all to us, maybe senile or in a confused manic state which would explain losing his possessions. ga('ads.send', { The high-profile murder of former White House aide Jack Wheeler is featured in Unsolved Mysteries, and while the 47-minute episode covers a lot of information, there are some details left out . Come morning, Katherine tried calling him, but he didnt pick up. document.querySelector("#google_image_div").addEventListener('click',function(){ "He was beaten to death. Some conspiracy theorists have connected Wheeler's death to various theories regarding government corruption in Washington DC. On December 31, 2010, at 9:56 a.m., Jack Wheelers body was found dumped in the Cherry Island Landfill in Wilmington, Delaware, a place where he had no business being at that point in time. But they also pointed out that he was diligent with his medication, so it wasnt likely. Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. The autopsy of JFK, President John f Kennedy was conducted By: I still like season 2 but it kinda feels like the detective work is lacking a bit.