James Albert Boyd, 48, was last seen on February 6, 1987, at a bank in St. Petersburg, Florida, where he purchased $1,500 in traveler’s checks in preparation for an upcoming trip to South Africa. Boyd, a reclusive dealer of rare and valuable objects such as gold, silver, rare coins, and Nazi memorabilia, was known for his extensive travels. His sudden disappearance, however, raised alarm after it was discovered he never made it to his intended destination.
A few days after Boyd’s disappearance, Tampa bank employees alerted authorities when Steven W. White, posing as Boyd, attempted to withdraw money from his accounts. Upon investigation, authorities found Boyd’s home, which had been secured with an elaborate security system, unlocked. Inside, there were alarming signs of foul play, including bloodstains, bullet holes, and spent cartridges. Many of Boyd's valuable items were missing, and his vehicle, a black and silver Chevrolet El Camino, had also vanished.
Steven White, who had befriended Boyd under the pretense of buying his house, was soon identified as a suspect. He was arrested several months later in possession of Boyd’s vehicle and other belongings. White was convicted of Boyd’s murder and sentenced to life in prison, though Boyd's body was never recovered. The case remains officially unsolved in terms of locating his remains, but authorities strongly suspect foul play due to the circumstances surrounding his disappearance.
Last Seen: Feb 13, 1987
