In June 1997, the world was shocked when Gary DeVore, a renowned screenwriter responsible for movies like Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Raw Deal and Back Roads starring Tommy Lee Jones and Sally Field, went missing. What seemed like a straightforward case quickly unfolded into a mysterious tale of intrigue and conspiracy. DeVore’s disappearance has never been truly solved, leaving behind a myriad of unanswered questions that continue to captivate the public’s imagination.
From the moment DeVore vanished, numerous conspiracy theories emerged, suggesting a wide range of possibilities. One particularly intriguing theory alleges that the CIA may have played a sinister role in his disappearance. These speculations have fueled public interest in the case, prompting further investigation and exploration into the untold truths behind DeVore’s vanishing act.
As the eight-part podcast Witnessed: Fade to Black delves into Gary DeVore’s story, a revelation comes to light. DeVore’s wife, Wendy DeVore, recently stumbled upon over 50 scripts and treatments written by her late husband. This exciting find has sparked a collaboration between Wendy and Jeff Singer from Stowaway Entertainment, who are now working together to resurrect these scripts and potentially breathe new life into DeVore’s creative legacy.
Among the discovered scripts are titles such as Hurricane Chaser, Deadlocked, and Hard Rock (also known as Bloodshot). One particularly relevant script, Betrayals, explores the story of a woman attempting to rescue her kidnapped CIA-affiliated fiancé. With the resurgence of action movies due to the emergence of streaming platforms like Netflix, there may be newfound interest in DeVore’s scripts that were crafted during a different era of filmmaking.
DeVore went missing in the vast expanse of the California desert while returning home from a writing trip in New Mexico. In a final, enigmatic phone call to Wendy, he cryptically mentions “pumping pure adrenaline.” This perplexing statement sends shivers down Wendy’s spine, leading her to suspect foul play. Little did she know that this was merely the beginning of a truly bizarre sequence of events that would involve Hollywood heavyweights like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jean-Claude Van Damme.
Throughout DeVore’s story, the CIA takes center stage. British director John Irvin, known for his work on the BBC spy series based on John Le Carré’s Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, issues warnings about the dangerous nature of the CIA. Additionally, Chase Bradon, Tommy Lee Jones’ cousin and former CIA operative, becomes entangled in DeVore’s disappearance, working as the agency’s official liaison to the entertainment industry. Bradon’s involvement in films like The Bourne Identity and series like Alias raises eyebrows and deepens the intrigue surrounding DeVore’s vanishing.
DeVore had been diligently crafting a script titled The Big Steal, set during the U.S. invasion of Panama. This script may have shed light on hidden truths and blown the doors wide open on whatever truly occurred surrounding his disappearance. The tantalizing possibilities tied to DeVore’s Panama-centric work add another layer of complexity to the already baffling case.
Following her husband’s disappearance, Wendy DeVore, herself an actress with notable voice-over roles in films like Ridley Scott’s Black Rain, decided to move away from California. She split her time between Hawaii and Florida, finally placing all her belongings in storage. However, destiny had other plans, and when Wendy reclaimed her stored possessions, she discovered her late husband’s treasure trove of scripts.
Wendy DeVore expressed her deep desire to see some of Gary’s forgotten scripts brought to life, viewing them as a tribute to his enduring legacy. Jeff Singer, the Stowaway representative who joined forces with Wendy, shares her enthusiasm. Singer acknowledges that while the scripts were written in the 1980s and 1990s, a compelling story is timeless, capable of resonating regardless of the era in which it was crafted. Already, the scripts have generated interest, with industry insiders intrigued by the hidden gems waiting to be unearthed.
Witnessed: Fade to Black, the gripping eight-part podcast, is hosted by Josh Dean, one of the co-founders of Campside Media. Joining forces with Dean is Evan Wright, known for adapting podcasts into successful TV series such as Dirty John, Homecoming, and Dr. Death. Lead producer Megan Donis, an accomplished podcaster herself, brings her expertise to the mix. Together, they aim to shine a light on the bewildering story of Gary DeVore’s disappearance, unraveling the conspiracy theories and presenting audiences with compelling revelations.
As the season finale of Witnessed: Fade to Black approaches, one thing remains clear—Gary DeVore’s disappearance is a mystery that endures. Despite countless theories, investigations, and speculations, the truth behind his vanishing remains elusive. Wendy DeVore poignantly acknowledges this, stating, “We do not know what happened to this man.” The enigma surrounding Gary DeVore will forever occupy a place in the annals of unsolved mysteries, capturing our fascination and inspiring the search for answers.