Greenlease Kidnapping in Kansas City, Missouri – Legends of America
Okay, buckle up, folks, because we’re about to dive into a true crime story that’s both heartbreaking and mind-boggling. We’re talking about the Greenlease kidnapping, a case that rocked Kansas City, Missouri, back in 1953. It involves a young boy, a boatload of money, and a whole lot of shady characters.
So, picture this: it’s 1953, and six-year-old Robert Cosgrove "Bobby" Greenlease Jr. is living the good life. His dad, Robert C. Greenlease, was a real big shot – a multi-millionaire who owned one of the biggest Cadillac dealerships in the country. We’re talking serious wealth here. Bobby went to a fancy private school called Notre Dame de Sion, and everything seemed perfect.
But, as we all know, things aren’t always as they seem.
On September 28, 1953, things took a dark turn. A woman showed up at Bobby’s school claiming to be his aunt. She told a nun that Bobby’s mom had a heart attack and was in the hospital. Now, here’s the kicker: the nun didn’t tell Bobby about the "heart attack" part, but she did say his aunt was there to pick him up. Bobby, bless his heart, didn’t hesitate. He walked right up to the woman, and they left together in a taxi.
Turns out, the whole story was a lie. Bobby’s mom was perfectly fine. When the school called the Greenlease home to check on her, the jig was up. Panic set in, and the police were called.
Now, this is where the real drama begins.
The woman who picked up Bobby was actually part of a twisted scheme cooked up by a couple of real lowlifes: Carl Hall and Bonnie Heady. Hall was a former con artist who had his eyes on the Greenlease family’s fortune for years. He figured kidnapping was the perfect way to strike it rich. He roped in Heady, a woman with a troubled past, and together they hatched their plan.
Here’s the messed-up part: even before the ransom was demanded, Hall and Heady took Bobby to a farm in Kansas and, tragically, murdered him. Yeah, you read that right. They killed a six-year-old child. It’s enough to make your blood run cold.
After the murder, the pair transported Bobby’s body back to St. Joseph, Missouri, where they buried it in Heady’s backyard. The whole thing is just sickening.
Despite already killing Bobby, Hall and Heady still went through with their plan to get the ransom money. They sent the Greenlease family a letter demanding a whopping $600,000 – which was a fortune back then. They promised to return Bobby safe and sound, as long as the money was delivered without any tricks.
The Greenleases were desperate. They went through a week of frantic phone calls and ransom notes, following every instruction in the hopes of getting their son back. Finally, they paid the ransom, but the kidnappers never delivered on their promise.
Meanwhile, Hall and Heady were living it up in St. Louis. They bought new suitcases to stash the money, ditched their car, and started hitting the bars. Hall, being the smooth criminal he thought he was, even rented a fancy apartment.
But their lavish lifestyle didn’t last long. They got sloppy, spending money like it was water. A cab driver noticed something fishy and tipped off the police. On October 6, 1953, Hall was arrested at the Townhouse Hotel in St. Louis. Heady was picked up later that night.
The FBI jumped on the case, and it didn’t take long for them to unravel the whole sordid mess. Hall eventually confessed to the kidnapping and led them to Bobby’s body. It was a devastating moment for the Greenlease family.
Hall and Heady were brought to justice swiftly. They were tried, convicted, and sentenced to death. On December 18, 1953, just 81 days after the kidnapping, they were executed in Missouri’s gas chamber. Talk about a fast turnaround!
But here’s where the story gets even more twisted: only $288,000 of the $600,000 ransom was ever recovered. What happened to the rest of the money? That’s the million-dollar question (or rather, the $312,000 question) that has haunted this case for decades.
There are all sorts of theories floating around. Some say a local mobster got involved. Others believe Hall tried to bury the money but failed. But the most plausible theory involves the police officers who arrested Hall.
It turns out that the two officers, Lieutenant Louis Ira Shoulders and Patrolman Elmer Dolan, may have skimmed off the top. They claimed they turned over all the money they found on Hall, but the evidence suggested otherwise. Both officers were eventually convicted of perjury and sent to prison.
The Greenlease kidnapping is a tragic and disturbing chapter in American history. It’s a reminder of the depths of human depravity and the devastating consequences of greed. It’s also a cautionary tale about the importance of vigilance and the need to protect our children.
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