The Diamond That Never Lies: Unraveling the Disappearance of Robert Wykel

A Passion for Classic Cars

Robert James Wykel, born on May 18, 1930, in Cook County, Illinois, was a retired sheet metal worker and classic car enthusiast residing in Burien, Washington. After retiring, he supplemented his income by purchasing, restoring, and reselling vintage automobiles. Known for his meticulous nature, Wykel often carried large sums of cash for transactions and wore a distinctive 1.25-carat European-cut diamond ring, even while working on cars .

The Fateful Meeting

In early 1996, Wykel met Myron Wynn, a younger man who frequented the same McDonald's where Wykel and other retirees gathered for breakfast. Wynn claimed to have a connection to someone selling a 1961 Ford Thunderbird, a car Wykel had long desired. Enticed, Wykel gave Wynn a $1,000 deposit and later withdrew $5,200 in cash to complete the purchase .

Disappearance and Initial Investigation

On February 21, 1996, Wykel informed friends he was going to pick up the Thunderbird. He was never seen again. His neighbor, John Ogdon, became concerned after Wykel missed their regular poker game and noticed his Mercedes-Benz was absent. On March 13, Ogdon received a notice that Wykel's car had been impounded from a nearby park-and-ride lot. Inside the vehicle, police found Wykel's empty wallet but no signs of foul play .

Wynn's Suspicious Behavior

Investigators learned that Wynn had a history of using aliases and had been involved in various scams. He initially cooperated with police but provided inconsistent statements about his last interaction with Wykel. Wynn claimed he hadn't seen Wykel since February 20, contradicting witnesses who saw them together on February 23 at a campground operated by Wynn's family in Thurston County ....Read More

Share

Comments (0)

Leave A Comment