Individuals whose deaths are linked to the Franklin Cover-Up

Here’s a list of individuals whose deaths have been tied to the Franklin Cover-up in various accounts, along with details where available. Sourced from DeCamp’s The Franklin Cover-Up.

• Gary Caradori
  • Role: Lead investigator hired by the Nebraska Legislature's Franklin Committee to investigate the child prostitution ring allegations.
  • Circumstances of Death: Caradori and his 8-year-old son, Andrew, died when their small plane crashed near Ashton, Illinois. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) concluded the wings snapped due to stress, but many, including state Senator Loran Schmit, suspected foul play. Caradori had reportedly gathered significant evidence, including victim interviews, and told Schmit they had the subjects "by the short hairs" the day before his death. His briefcase containing evidence went missing after the crash.
• Bill Baker
  • Role: A friend of Caradori and reportedly involved in assisting with the investigation.
  • Circumstances of Death: Died in a car accident under unclear circumstances. The exact date is not widely specified in sources, but DeCamp mentions his death as suspicious in The Franklin Cover-Up.
• Newt Copple
  • Role: A confidential informant who allegedly provided information to Caradori about the Franklin case.
  • Circumstances of Death: Reportedly died of a heart attack, though the timing and context raised suspicions among investigators. DeCamp notes that Copple’s death occurred shortly after he shared critical information.
• Clare Howard
  • Role: The secretary of Alan Baer, a prominent Omaha businessman implicated in the Franklin allegations.
  • Circumstances of Death: Found dead in her home, officially ruled a suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning, but the timing of her death—shortly after the investigation intensified—led to speculation of foul play.
• Mike Lewis
  • Role: A former Omaha police officer allegedly linked to the investigation through his knowledge of local corruption.
  • Circumstances of Death: Died of a reported drug overdose, though some sources claim the circumstances were suspicious and possibly staged.
• Joe Malek
  • Role: An associate of Larry King (the central figure in the Franklin scandal) who allegedly had knowledge of the trafficking activities.
  • Circumstances of Death: Died in a car accident, with some accounts suggesting the crash was staged.
• Danny King
  • Role: A victim-witness in the Franklin case who had provided testimony about abuse.
  • Circumstances of Death: Found dead, with the official cause listed as a drug overdose, though the timing and lack of investigation into his death raised questions.
• Shawn Boner
  • Role: Brother of Troy Boner, a key witness in the Franklin case who initially testified about abuse but later recanted under pressure.
  • Circumstances of Death: Died under mysterious circumstances, often cited as a drug overdose, though some accounts suggest he was killed to intimidate Troy Boner. The exact date is unclear in most sources.
• Charlie Rogers
  • Role: A peripheral figure allegedly tied to the Franklin network through business dealings with Larry King.
  • Circumstances of Death: Reportedly committed suicide by shooting himself, though the timing—during the height of the investigation—led to speculation of foul play.
• Dan Ryan
  • Role: Another alleged victim or witness with knowledge of the abuse network.
  • Circumstances of Death: Died of a reported drug overdose, but like others, the death was considered suspicious by those following the case.
• Bill Skaleske
  • Role: A former Omaha police officer who reportedly had information about corruption tied to the Franklin case.
  • Circumstances of Death: Died in a car accident, with some sources suggesting the crash was suspicious.