On August 20, 1998, Richard "Rick" Post, a 54-year-old private investigator from Point Loma, California, was last seen by his son. Post, a U.S. Army veteran who served in military intelligence during the Vietnam War, had built a successful private investigation firm called Intellisource. At the time of his disappearance, he appeared to have left his home without any personal belongings, such as clothing or luggage. In his final communications, two phone messages, he mentioned he would be home soon after attending to business in Mexico. His car was found parked at his house, and his keys were later discovered in the mailbox. His teenage son, accustomed to his father's sudden work trips, became concerned when he didn't return as he always did and had not arranged for his care.
The investigation into Post's disappearance unraveled a complex and tragic story of betrayal and violence.
Post had become romantically and professionally involved with Kimberly Bailey, the owner of a mail-order business called Astro Pulse. Bailey had hired Post to investigate employee theft, and her company became his largest client. An employee of Post's, John Krueger, grew resentful, believing Post was cutting him out of a profitable business. Krueger falsely told Bailey that Post was stealing money from her and being unfaithful. Consumed by suspicion and anger, Bailey conspired with Krueger and a Mexican national named Humberto Iribe to kidnap and torture Post to force him to return the money she believed he had stolen.
Lured to Tijuana, Mexico, under the pretense of a business deal, Post was abducted outside a drug store while waiting in his car. He was taken to an abandoned house where he was beaten and tortured for several days. Despite the brutal interrogation, during which his fingers were crushed with pliers, Post consistently denied stealing any money. Bailey initially paid Iribe $10,000 for the kidnapping and later paid an additional $40,000 to have Post killed. Following her orders, Iribe's associates shot and buried Post on a Mexican hillside. His body has never been recovered. The subsequent investigation led to the arrests and convictions of those involved. Kimberly Bailey was sentenced to life in prison plus ten years for her role in orchestrating the kidnapping and murder. John Krueger received a 12-year prison sentence in exchange for his testimony, and Humberto Iribe was sentenced to 25 years for conspiracy and attempted kidnapping. This case is a harrowing example of a missing person's case that transitioned into a homicide investigation, revealing a dark plot of greed and revenge that led to the tragic death of Richard Post.Last Seen: Aug 20, 1998
