Subject: The mysterious disappearance of Paul Gruber, a retired school teacher.
Background
Paul Gruber:
Former popular teacher at Incline High School, Lake Tahoe, Nevada.
Passionate about travel and foreign languages.
Retired early after inheriting money, moved to Sandpoint, Idaho.
Purchased a home on Muskrat Lake.
Disappearance
Last known activity was sending a birthday card to his grandson in 1993.
Daughter, Shelly, noticed the card was unusual.
Compared it to old cards; suspected forgery.
Investigation
Initial Findings:
Police found Gruber's home empty of personal items.
Shelly set a trap with a false message on the answering machine.
Received a card and check, supposedly from Gruber.
Handwriting analysis initially claimed it was Gruber's handwriting.
Further Investigations
Financial Transactions:
Gruber's bills paid on time, ATM card used, but no ATM photos available.
Mail Collection:
Security footage showed a silhouette—not Gruber.
Locals identified the silhouette as Daryl Kewl, a local handyman.
Daryl Kewl
Claimed Gruber asked him to collect mail while he was in Canada.
Police sketch based on Kewl's description produced no leads.
Breakthrough
Clue:
Rug glued to floor in Gruber's house.
Underneath was a gouge in the wooden floor indicating a bullet ricochet.
Evidence:
Blood traces found on the floor and door, confirmed as Gruber's.
Kewl's Finances
Deposited $20,000 into his account; similar amounts withdrawn from Gruber’s.
Claimed it was to pay Gruber’s bills—considered suspicious by investigators.
Document Analysis
Handwriting Examination:
Second expert found inconsistencies in "P" and "M/N" letters, unlike Gruber’s.
Confirmed Daryl Kewl authored the forged checks and cards.
Evidence Collection
Kewl's Property Search:
Found items belonging to Gruber, including power tools and a boat.
Discovered a handgun with a silencer, which complicates ballistic evidence.
Discovery
Body Found:
After 18 months, Gruber’s body was found under his house.
Shot four times; ballistic evidence not directly linking to Kewl's gun due to silencer.
Conclusion
Charges:
Kewl charged with first-degree murder, grand theft, and forgery.
DNA Evidence:
DNA from a stamp on the birthday card confirmed as Kewl’s.
Verdict:
Kewl sentenced to 25 years to life.
Summary
The case highlighted issues of identity theft and meticulous forensic investigation leading to solving a bizarre disappearance case. The key elements were handwriting analysis, financial inconsistencies, physical evidence, and ultimately DNA testing, which all corroborated Kewl's guilt.