Man Of Mystery: New Clues On Rockefeller

FBI Thinks He May Be German; California Cops Want To Question Him About A 1985 Murder

(CBS/AP)  The man in the glasses is not the heir to an oil fortune, that much is known. But who exactly is he? Clark Rockefeller says he's not even sure himself.

After years of trading on the famous name, the man dubbed "Crockefeller" and "Rockephony" by the tabloids has had his story take another strange turn as authorities explore whether he may be a long-missing man linked to a California killing that's been unsolved for more than 20 years.

Rockefeller's attorney says his client can't remember anything in his life prior to his 1995 marriage, reports CBS News correspondent Kelly Wallace, but prosecutors in the kidnapping case aren't buying it. They're calling Rockefeller more of a schemer than someone having trouble with memory.

The bespectacled 48-year-old has been jailed since being accused of abducting his daughter from Boston's high-society Back Bay neighborhood.

Two homicide detectives from Los Angeles were in Boston trying to determine whether he's connected to a bag of human bones and a married couple - Jonathan and Linda Sohus - who disappeared without a trace in 1985 from this wealthy Los Angeles suburb.

So far, Rockefeller's not talking to the L.A. detectives on the advice of his lawyer.

After police snatched up Rockefeller in Baltimore, his fingerprints matched prints linked to the Sohus case, Wallace reports. Back then, a man who went by the name Christopher Chichester was a tenant of the Sohus'. Authorities in Los Angeles believe Rockefeller and Chichester may be one and the same.

"There are many things that are similarities," said Steve Whitmore, spokesman for the Los Angeles County Sherriff's office. "There are photographic similarities, and yes the detectives are fully cognizant of this."

The prints aren't the only link, Wallace reports. According to a 1994 sheriff's department press release, Chichester was described as a con man who "surfaces in affluent neighborhoods and mingles in social circles by making friends with wealthy, influential people," a similar portrait of the country club lifestyle of Rockefeller.

Meanwhile, federal investigators looking into his mysterious past are trying to determine if he was once a German exchange student to Connecticut.

The Boston Herald reports that authorities have contacted two families in Berlin, Conn. who housed an exchange student named Christian Gerhart Reiter almost three decades ago. They are trying to determine if he and the man calling himself Clark Rockefeller are the same person.

Edward Savio of Berlin tells the newspaper that Reiter lived with his family and eventually moved to California.

The Savios said they were later contacted by the FBI, who were investigating the attempted sale a pickup truck in Connecticut belonging to Sohus.

Police say Rockefeller's fingerprints also match those on an old license application submitted by Chichester.

The development was the latest in a case that has frustrated investigators since Jonathan Sohus' mother filed a missing persons report 23 years ago.

Police explored various possibilities, including that Chichester had been in love with Linda Sohus and murdered her husband in a fit of jealousy.

Sohus' mother reported receiving postcards from her son in Paris, and died in 1988, thinking her son and daughter-in-law had moved to Europe and forgotten about her.

Then in 1994, the new owners of the Sohus property were digging a swimming pool when a backhoe uncovered human remains in three plastic bags. Investigators also found horse and chicken bones.

The badly damaged remains were believed to be those of Jonathan Sohus but were never positively identified, said Lili Hadsell, a former San Marino police sergeant who took the initial missing persons report.

Jonathan Sohus was adopted, so there was no obvious way of comparing the bones' DNA to that of family members, half-brother Chris Sohus said.

No sign of Linda Sohus was ever found, but investigators have searched for Chichester for years.

"It was really thrilling to see that maybe we've got him and maybe we're going to come to some kind of resolution for John and Linda," Hadsell said.

Authorities came close to Chichester in the late 1980s when he was pulled over in Greenwich, Conn., driving Sohus' truck. But by the time the Department of Motor Vehicles had confirmed it was Sohus' truck, Chichester and the vehicle had vanished.

"We were very diligent in trying to track down as many leads as we could, but they were adults, and there were no signs of foul play," Hadsell said of the initial investigation. "Adults can go ahead and disappear."

When the Los Angeles detectives came to the Boston jail where Rockefeller is being held without bail, Rockefeller refused to meet with them.

"He's not accepting any communications. He's not granting any interviews," said Peter Van Delft, a spokesman for the Suffolk County Sheriff's Department.

Rockefeller's attorney, Stephen Hrones, said he advised his client not to speak to the Los Angeles investigators. He said Rockefeller "denies absolutely" any connection between him and the California case.

Chris Sohus remembered his brother as a computer whiz and talented programmer who at one point worked for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena.

At first, the family thought John and his young wife had also started a new life in Europe and lost contact with relatives back home. Only when the bones were found did they fear the worst.

That's when it became reality, Chris Sohus said: "The likelihood is he's dead. We are hopeful this will result in some closure, getting some answers."

The possible link to Boston, where Rockefeller allegedly orchestrated a complex kidnapping scheme to take his daughter during a supervised custody visit, was the talk of San Marino, a placid town of gated cul-de-sacs, well-manicured lawns and tree-lined boulevards.

Neighbors on Wednesday remembered Chichester as a smooth talker who was well-dressed and seemed well-educated. He did all the right things to ingratiate himself with his upscale neighbors, including volunteering at the local library, said Ray Cornwall, a neighbor who has lived in the community since the 1970s.

"He's a prototype con man. He's really good at it," said Cornwall, whose daughter dated Chichester briefly in the mid-1980s. "It's going to be hard to prove anything, because he's not left any permanent trail. It's all smoke and mirrors."

[cfin5]

What''s with the birth control glasses? Are they making those again, or did he find them in a sticks located goodwill store? Got my dorkin''out for today anyhow.

[cfin5]

cfin5, He is going for the Rick Vaugh look.

Posted by gop_forever at 08:53 AM : Aug 07, 2008---- I was thinking Woody Allen. I don''t know who Rick Vaugh is.

[barbaraf4]

I can hardly wait for the book to be published. You can''t make this stuff up - it''s better than fiction!

So, how was Ms. Boss married to this clown for 12 years and not know some, if not all, if his history?

So much for Snooks'' pedigree. It''s a shame. She is a beautiful little girl.

[observer2020]

Some people are serious manipulators and this guy has it down pat. "But who exactly is he? Clark Rockefeller says he''s not even sure himself." That''s his story and he''s sticking to it. His wife was probably filled with lies about his past...or he probably said he had a terrible upbringing and didn''t want to talk about it. Or something like: Darling, my life didn''t begin until I met you.

[judieb-2009]

Did this story ever explain why the mother lives in Europe and the daughter was in Boston on a supervised visit with her father? Did someone bring the little girl to Boston for this visit? Did she actually live with the mother? Why didn''t the father go to Europe for his visit? Why would the mother even allow her little girl be on a different continent that hers??? Does anyone know these answers?

[newsnut123]

SO, WHERE ARE ALL YOU BLEEDING HEARTS THAT WERE SOOO CONVINCED HE WAS SUUUUCH A GOOOOD FATHER ONLY WANTING TO BE WITH HIS DAUGHTER?

[flreason]

I don''t hear much from tuckerndtw and GOP_Forever and their defense of this guy as a wealthy dad who was being victimized by the legal system and a byatchy wife. Still think Reigh would have been better off with him?

[flreason]

judieb:

Per earlier reports: The mother works and lives in London. There is no info on whether she also travelled to the US while Reigh was visiting her father. The terms of the divorce dictated that all visits with the father were to be supervised. The divorce procedings are sealed, so the justification the judge used for the setting the visitation terms is unavailable.

[flreason]

gop_forever:

You are one perverse and demented person. You think she would be better off with a man that is a proven con man, and who may be a murderer? You obviously don''t care about the child''s welfare. You just can''t admit to making a public error in judgment. Are you, by any chance, related to Bush or Cheney? You certainly have characteristics in common beyond identifying with the GOP: making judgments that jeopardize peoples lives with insufficient evidence; using lies and innuendos to demonize anyone with whom you disagree; inability to admit mistakes; rely more on opinions than on facts; see every issue in black and white; incapable of reevaluating decisions/courses of action as more information becomes available.

[gurusavant]

scary as hell to know that this man has spawned a child...

[crystalblue3]

Christian viewing? Omg gag me. *pleh*

GOP forever - you are about the biggest moron I''ve ever come across. Your inadequate education and poor upbringing is showing, honey.

[spinster2]

You don''t have to be a criminal investigator to realize that their on the right track with this guy because everything that they know interweaves between Connecticut and California.

A german exchange student goes to school in conn, moves to Cal, and then dissapears. Couple in Cal then dissappears. Their truck turns up in Conn. This guys marries and lives in Boston which is less than a hundred miles from Conn with no background history. His finger print matches they man known as Chichester. All three alleged names start with a "C" and both alleged assumed identities are the type of east coast blue blood names that you might expect a con to take up in that part of the country.

In the end, they may be able to prove who he is but if he is guilty of killing that couple in Cal, he will never be convicted. It''s odd that he could stay in their house for four months after they were gone and their family never suspected anything foul until the bones were discovered.

[hidegirlgcks]

Im soooo glad they found the little girl! This guy sounds like a nut case!

[buttonjockey]

"The Savios said they were later contacted by the FBI, who were investigating the attempted sale a pickup truck in Connecticut belonging to Sohus."

Any idea when CBS News is going to hire a competent editor?

[summarex]

newsnut123:

Just because he has issues with the enforcers doesn''t mean he''s a bad father. If that wasn''t the case why would they need to tell people that the little girl was so happy to see them?

And watch who you call a bleeding heart. I''m far enough to the right that I don''t trust government. And I can spot pseudocons like you a mile away.


SO, WHERE ARE ALL YOU BLEEDING HEARTS THAT WERE SOOO CONVINCED HE WAS SUUUUCH A GOOOOD FATHER ONLY WANTING TO BE WITH HIS DAUGHTER?

[observer2020]

summarex: I was one of the posters that thought that there definitely something fishy about this guy. Multiple aliases, lots of money coming from where?, AND his wife had legal custody of their little girl, so he also broke the law. Sniff-Sniff...definitely rotten fish.

[emmer94]

The divorce procedings are sealed, so the justification the judge used for the setting the visitation terms is unavailable.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by flreason

According to what was in the articles 2 days ago, one of the reasons he did not get custody was he didn''t provide proof of Identity that the court specifically requested.

They say the "missing" couple in CA was "wealthy". I wonder if he somehow got their money and/or sold valuables to help finance his existance. He must have managed it pretty well to be in the financial position he is.

To me the humorous part is he doesn''t remember anything before getting married. I thought most men chose to forget the stuff AFTER the "I do"!! :-)

[observer2020]

gop_forever: I noticed you are not capitalized anymore...got banned?

This guy is guilty of numerous things...the victims ARE the ex-wife and daughter. He broke the law (confirmed) by kidnapping his daughter that his wife had legal custody of. I don''t know what you are reading, but in this case, you are totally wrong. I guess it''s those "good Christian" glasses that don''t let you see the truth and admit that you are wrong. If you were divorced (surprised you were even married in the first place) and (unfortunately) had custody of your 6 children and your ex-significant other came and took them all away from you during a supervised visit--you would hit the ceiling and demand, very vocally as you can only do, that the police get them back. I am sure of it. This guy stole the little girl so he is NOT a victim...he''s the perp.

[robtcohen]

This is vague, tho reality to me.

Some years ago, I read about a young man that was posing as a Rockefeller heir.

He allegedly conned his wife or girlfriend and several others: money was the motivation

Turns-out, he had been a penniless French orphan whom brilliantly adapted the persona

I vaguely recall a name, "Chris," tho can''t cite the publication nor the date I had read about the faux Rockefeller heir.

Is this alleged perp the same person that I read about years ago, or perhaps something of a copycat
(alleged) con artist

[sistatee-2009]

More bad spawn from the Rockefeller family.

[gop_forever]

gop_forever: I noticed you are not capitalized anymore...got banned?
Posted by observer2020
==============================
What?

[gop_forever]

The father, a victim? Give me a break!! If he is such a "victim" why is he arrested and the mother isn''''t. And don''''t say it is because he is the "POOR POOR MAN"!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Posted by lilturkey
=======================
Everyone knows the justice system favors women to a fault.

[observer2020]

Everyone knows the justice system favors women to a fault.
Posted by GOP_FOREVER
+
Not true!!! I know numerous men that received custody of the children...and some of the children were not theirs to begin with. Sometimes the justice system does work...in this case, they were right granting custody to the ex-wife. This guy is a very stinky fish and did not deserve custody.

Dude (or whatever) you need some therapy about your issues with women, among other things. Either that, or up the dosage...now. You are also having some identity issues...all caps, just first letters, caps, all lower case...can''t make up your mind?

[gop_forever]

observer2020, I have no issues with other women, I just mearly point out all the injustices the feminists have created in our country.

[observer2020]

GOP_FOREVER: Yeah right, and the sky is a wonderful shade of green.

[gop_forever]

observer2020, well actually its blue but it will look green if you take too much pamprin.

[usclimey]

Has anyone noticed that GOP''''s login name changed?
First it was GOP_forever, now it is all capital letters: COP_FOREVER. Think maybe he/she keeps getting kicked off the comment pages?

Posted by lilturkey

Pretty sure she was gopsoccermom before she was forever.

[observer2020]

lilturkey: Yes, I''ve noticed...the only thing about this "person" (and I use that term very loosely) that hasn''t changed is their lousy attitude toward ALL women, among other things. It also doesn''t understand sarcasm...which is extremely funny. Whenever I see that individual''s posts...I put my watch on the highest roof that I can find...Save the Watch--the BS is getting really deep. We are well past the hip waders with this one.

I was extremely pleased when I saw the men I personally know win custody of the children...they were a much better and caring parent than their ex''s. Divorce and custody battles are a case-by-case basis and in this particular case, the girl belongs with her mother. As the father can''t even be truthful enough to decide on one name, how can he be truthful about anything else? Marriage is tough enough without tons of lies and deception.

[vastr-wcon]

.
Given what the world now knows of this obvious swindler, one has to wonder just how dumb - and pathetically desperate - is the woman who married him. And, what does that say about her employer, McKinsey, which thinks it''s an uppity "prestigious" consulting outfit?

There is enough "stupid" here to fill the Grand Canyon.

/

[mercurygrand]

Treat him like a illegal alien. After he serves his Jail time deport him back to germany. No more BS. He looks like a murder con artist.

[mydiatribe]

Jonathan Sohus was adopted, so there was no obvious way of comparing the bones'' DNA to that of family members, half-brother Chris Sohus said.

Inferred but not stated is that the LA County Sheriff''s Dept.Investigators did a SLOPPY JOB investigating their missing persons case 23 years ago. They did not acquire any DNA from the home when the investigation was new. DNA that would confirm Jonathan Sohus''s bones are indeed his.

Bottom line if this SCUMBAG, Rock-a-phony later walks away from a double homicide conviction POOR POLICE PROCEDURES will be the reason.

[o2bewealthy]

GOP_forever is a troll... please scroll on by. If you don''t feed them, they go away.

[susanhelit]

I wonder where the victim''s money went - sounds to me like he just wanted more money. Or maybe he did imagine some relationship with the wife, and kill out of jealousy. From what his exchange student family says, he''s got some massive superiority complex driving him - some need to appear wealthy and the like.

He''s pulled this stuff off for decades, before his wife, and the judge, stopped him cold with the requirement that he say who he actually is, if he wanted to have custody of his daughter.

[bobbiewick]

"SO, WHERE ARE ALL YOU BLEEDING HEARTS THAT WERE SOOO CONVINCED HE WAS SUUUUCH A GOOOOD FATHER ONLY WANTING TO BE WITH HIS DAUGHTER?"

Apparently, he has been a good father. If those postcards from France are authentic -- and there are probably other letters from Linda around to compare them with -- then CR is pretty much off the hook for murder. I doubt he could be prosecuted for murder anyway. Worst case scenario is that he gets deported, if they can show he''s here illegally.

[dixxson-2009]

It is not a matter of Bleeding Heart that compels one to be ready to give benefit of doubt. It is just plain intelligence as opposed to staunch ignorance! A Liberal is like a scientist, standing prepared to change his concepts in the face of evidence.
Ignorance is just Ignorant!

[wellhell3]

Tucker''s been drinking again? Figgers!

He''s in another one of his women are shrews, mental cases, and criminals funks!

Rejection is such a terribly hard thing to handle.