Newsmaker Sunday: Bob Crane, Jr.

[@icebergrose8955]

He's got his dad's smile. Rip Bob, a great talent.

[@mrpeel3239]

Excellent, insightful interview showing how bad life decisions could have tragic consequences.

[@maggieb369]

What a sweet man. He is so well adjusted, unlike many children of celebrities

[@deelay9811]

If John Carpenter didn't do it, he knew who did. John's behavior the following day is very telling. Why make all those phone calls, interesting if that wasn't his normal pattern.

[@georgfriedrichhandel4390]

Not just the following day. The day of the murder also. Calling Crane's son when Carpenter got home. How he behaved when he returned his rental car. And when he spoke to a cop when he called Crane's apartment but not asking the cop why the latter was there. I agree. Carpenter knew that this murder would occur and he took his secret to the grave.

[@CarguyEd5150]

I think Carpenter came to the apartment early in the morning to beg/persuade Crane to keep their thing going and saw Crane had been murdered. He fled out of fear, probably knowing the person who did it, probably gave them a ride to wherever and didn't want to be caught up in it and face prison time and or be the patsy.

[@debrak8521]

@@CarguyEd5150 Carpenter did it. End of story.

[@parisjackson9310]

@@CarguyEd5150 Rubbish.

[@mikeysuzefour]

John Hook was my favorite newscaster in Phoenix and we're still friends to this day. :-)

[@paulmcwilliams1709]

As a kid I loved Hogan's Heroes. I was in shock when I heard Robert Crane was killed. Rest in Peace Robert Crane.

[@PaulLyndeBlue]

Love the book! He did an amazing job on the book & it was so sad too. I cried a bit

[@ntnrocket1]

I really liked this book. Lots of stories about him and his father through different stages of their lives. The John Candy stories were also great. He said a lot about Candy that I didn't know already, and I was a John Candy fan too.

[@michaelhiggins7365]

A very gripping and interesting interview. I was surprised when the 2017 DNA testing came back as inconclusive, perhaps the process of aging degraded the blood samples. I wish Bob Crane's son an answer to this murder to be found in his lifetime. I can personally sympathise with him as my sister Wendy disappeared August 26th, 1978, just days before I was to turn 18. Her case has never been solved.

[@lorenepperson2266]

I remember this story came out when I was 11 in 1978 I loved hogans heroes and stunned to think someone would do this I remember him for his show but his. son resemble him if John didn't he had someone else forgive me for my thinking but hogans heroes still good show

[@jimgagne3801]

Michael Higgins, If there is no God, I will create one, to punish those who deserve an eternity of revenge......everybody that has it coming , will get what they deserve.

[@jblue705]

@Michael Higgins: Wow, man. My sympathies. Because I’m a long-time Charley Project reader I decided to look your sister up. ‘Wendy Susan Byron’ missing since 08/26/1978, at only 24 years old. Her former husband is a possible suspect. That’s so sad 😞, what a shame. I hope you can find some resolution if you haven’t already. I like to think that maybe somewhere out there in space there are happier places where bad things like murders and missing people don’t happen. As a life-long sufferer of depression (since i was a child), I’ve always hoped there’s something better out there where there is no pain, hatred or sadness, wars or violence. I’m not religious and basically atheist at this point, but I still hope maybe there’s a better world out there without all of the craziness one finds on this planet. Anyway, take care, and I’m sorry about your loss.

[@jamesmorgan2064]

Sorry for your loss I think they know who murdered Bob Crane .

[@770WT]

Crane's idol Gig Young also died in 1978 .

[@Finnador]

It wouldn't be the first time an ex-spouse (or soon to be) hired a goon to kill for the insurance money or estate. And as the younger Crane had said; his step-mom (Sigrid/Patty) did have a key to Bob's apartment in Scottsdale. If so, it's disturbing that they share a gravestone and burial plot.

[@laurataylor8179]

I love the friendship between you two

[@larryboysen5911]

Any recordings of your dad's DJ days? Love to hear these! Hogan's was one of our favorites...all the cast worked together, creating a unique sitcom!

[@SuperMinion-vy1hk]

Yes you can find some on you tube. Just type in what your looking for they pop up.

[@jayceew.rabbit9358]

WOW! When he said " was not" my jaw litterally dropped!!!

[@parisjackson9310]

This is the son who has credibility, IMO. He had a proper relationship with his father because he was an adult when he died. His theories make sound sense and echo some of my own thoughts. He has remained dignified and speaks well about his father, despite having been removed from his will.

[@8634StJamesAve]

It's bad enough we fans of Bob Crane are reminded of his problems and horrific murder, we now have to put up with his embarrassing son who not only communicates poorly but takes no pride in his appearance or his father's memory. It's so sad he does imitations of Jack Nicholson in an interview describing his father's brutal murder. What a slob. He appears to be motivated by cruelty and greed to make a quick buck from this tragedy. His book is more an autobiography of his time in high school and college and his brush with celebrities. And of course accusations his father was a typical celebrity who just didn't have time for him. Accusing his step mother is ridiculous. Bob Crane, his family (except for his son) and we fans have been put through enough. May Bob Crane rest in peace.

[@lydiarobertson8063]

Treat yourself to this fine book by John Hook, you'll be glad you did... I'm so sad for his son, no justice was served, but I think Carpenter did it.

[@kellikwindshawne7515]

Richard Dawson hid Carpenter from the police in the days after the murder. He's just as responsible in my eyes-never liked the guy

[@erichaynes7502]

@@kellikwindshawne7515 You may be right but it did seem like Carpenter was playing the middle man between Crane and Dawson. Carpenter stayed at different places after the murder, one night at Dawson's place, a few nights at home and when the cops requested him for questioning Carpenter was at his mother's place and had to drive 70 miles to meet the cops in L.A. The cops said Carpenter was acting like "hey, I did it now try to catch me" so he was very brazen, probably a charismatic sociopath..people like that can easily manipulate others like he did with Crane and Dawson. Years later Dawson gave an TV Emmy interview where he talks fondly about Carpenter, says no way could he have killed Crane. He even says Carpenter was such a nice guy he babysat his kids!

[@lbl9066]

The sons so bitter, his father made his life easy! I have a very large book I just ordered by Amazon, Bob Crane The Definitive Biography By: Carol M. Ford, Dee Young, Linda J. Groundwater Narrated by: Jeff Reim Length: 20 hrs and 14 mins Categories: Biographies & Memoirs, Entertainment & Celebrities . Can’t wait to read it. My heart breaks for all of us who loved him

[@SuperMinion-vy1hk]

Just finished that book it is wonderful.

[@parisjackson9310]

I'd be bitter too if my stepmother coerced by Dad into cutting me out of his will. The Definitive Biography is a misnomer since the authors are biased toward the second family, impugning this son, at least.

[@johneisenberg6700]

With good police work..Carpenter would have been caught rather quickly ..but the investigation was completely botched. Bob was supposed to drive him to the airport. I agree that Bob let him in because they were leaving the following morning.

[@cdbutler1204]

He must look more like his mother, because I see no resemblance between him and Bob Crane.

[@debrak8521]

Christopher Butler Yes Robert looks like his Mum but his 2 sisters are the spitting image of Bob Crane. I don't know who Bob Crane and his 2nd wife Patti's son Scott looks like.

[@erichaynes7502]

@@debrak8521 In Robert Graysmith's book The Murder of Bob Crane there's a paragraph where they state that Scott is the spitting image of his dad.

[@debrak8521]

@@erichaynes7502 According to Robert Crane his father had a vasectomy 3 years before Scott was born. Don't know if it's true or not.

[@SuperMinion-vy1hk]

@@debrak8521 Bob did have a paternity test and yes he is the father.

[@parisjackson9310]

@@SuperMinion-vy1hk That makes sense, he does appear to resemble him. But how do you know he had a paternity test? That means the vasectomy must have failed. It's very confusing because with all the women Bob slept with, not one has come forward (that we know of) to claim they had his child or had an abortion.

[@eviehammond9509]

The missing apt keys after his current wife's (soon to be ex-wife) visit have always stood out to me. While Carpenter had somewhat of a motive, was it really?? Ok say Bob Crane was going to end the friendship I just dont see the elevation of hate that must of had to present to beat a sleeping, long time friend to death being there. My question always comes back to who had the most to gain or lose with Crane's death? You have two middle aged guys who in their younger years clearly used Crane's celebrity & charisma to indulge in an enormous amount of filmed sexcapades ( especially for the 60's-70's) , but at the time of Crane's death I got to believe sooner or later both he & Carpenter would have to have been aware Crane's fame was declining and they both were aging where their sex games would inevitably either come to an end or at the very least decline to the point of being unrecognizable from their heyday. That being said, do I believe that Crane ending said friendship still presented a strong enough motive to beat your once best friend to death with a tripod while he lay sleeping??? IMO no. Now his current wife, who was currently embroiled in a somewhat messy divorce with Crane who also ended up with the bulk of his estate because their divorce had yet to be finalized at the time of his death did have A LOT to gain. Had the divorce been finalized his estate would of instead been split between his children leaving her with nothing from it. Not to mention, there would be no forced entry to his apt had someone used the keys that went missing right after she visited him at the same location with their young son only weeks earlier. I dont think thats a "coincidence". Im not inferring she was the one who actually killed him, but I do believe she did have a connection with it being arranged/planned. And having keys to the apt Crane was living in would be a huge asset to have for some whose job was to murder him during the night & having the element of a surprise attack on their side. Also the missing items ( photo album, tripod) could it be his current wife wanted them removed in fear of them being exposed or even publicized during a celebrity's murder investigation? Could it be she was one of the women who were filmed or photographed in nude & compromising sexual situations??? IMO she has a lot stronger motive than Carpenter ever did. All he gained after the murder was the constant scrutiny of being Crane's murderous ex-friend, a trial & aquittal of the murder charges & not long after his own death. IMO he gained nothing & actually his life instead was made much worse by it. I grew up watching Hogan Heros reruns. My dad & I would watch it together. I was too young to understand the jokes ( I was born in 1966) but I can remember my dad laughing hysterically over them. My dad has long since passed, but I can recall those fond moments like they were yesterday. Bob Crane was a charismatic, talented actor blessed with a quick wit & impeccable comedic timing. He also led a so called "double life". He clearly had a sex addiction long before the world would understand what this affliction entailed or that it even existed. I'm not trying to defend or justify his lifestyle or reasons for his murder as it would be speculation at best, assumption at the least. However, it is a tragic example of how our shortcomings & choices in life can cast a dark shadow over what would be an otherwise positive legacy. This is just my opinion based on an in depth view of many media sources over the years. Im not looking to recruit anyone into believing or swaying their opinions if they differ from my own. Im simply just stating my own personal opinions on it. Im glad the host of this show & Bob's son were able to become friends over such a tragic situation. Im glad his son is open to anything new in an investigation on his dad's murder so many decades ago. Im sure he'd love & welcome the final answers to who would do such a thing to another human being, but Im glad he has not let the case consume him and the life he is living for himself and his family. Thank you so much for sharing this fascinating show with the rest of us..

[@ADAMSIXTIES]

He's not Bob Crane, Jr. He's Robert David Crane! We know for sure that it was John Carpenter. Spoiler: the DNA of the blood on his car door wasn't Bob's. All that means is someone else who used the rental cut themself. or the sample was contaminated sometime in the past 40 years. Unless John killed someone ELSE too! But the suggestion it was Bob's ex-wife is totally ridiculous! The case is closed in my book!

[@alliecat4176]

Wonder if John Carpenter had someone do the dirty work while he was in the rental car at Bob's place. The unknown assailant could have had cuts that bled on John's rental car.

[@briandaum267]

Robert thinks that Patty did it, But if she hated him so much, why would she get buried next too Bob Crane ?

[@parisjackson9310]

There is a fine line between love and hate. Also, it could have been a crime of passion. The gravesite is hideous. It indicates obsession.

[@georgfriedrichhandel4390]

Sadly, as long as this case remains unsolved, there will never be closure. More than 40 years later, it seems unlikely that this case will ever be solved.

[@UncleDeadly1031]

Diva!!

[@lbl9066]

I agree, breaks my heart! He will always be beautiful and “Hogan”

[@GeorgeMaster-xg7lg]

​@@lbl9066this will forever remain a cold case.

[@keetahbrough]

Bob Crane Jr just did an amazing Jack Nicholson impression! :o And the interviewer didn`t say boo about it.. talked over him most of the time. Bad interviewer.. i would have LIKED to hear whatever Jr wanted to say.

[@0000bridge]

Did anyone ever test step mom's dna and compare it to the car?

[@anneraso5621]

Authorities checked on the stepmom and she was on an island off of Washington State at the time of Bob Crane’s death. I wonder about the fingerprints that the police found inside the apartment such as on the door and curtains and if they could help solve this crime today.

[@marybrock9250]

Bob crane had 2 sons 1 by his 1st wife his name Robert crane junior and bob crane second wife had a son to him too his name is Robert crane junior too

[@dianeeyestone2040]

Neither son is a junior. The have different middle names. Bob Crane was Robert' Edward. First son Robert David and second son Robert Scott..

[@christinamcilwaine350]

Scotty

[@edmader8964]

Loved Hogans as a kid. I remember a couple days after the murder when it came out about the secret sex tapes. First time i really experienced the you really never know a person. I live near the murder scene , looks the same almost 50 years later.

[@joeambrose3260]

There's no "Patty" listed as a wife. It says he divorced Anne in 1970 and then married Sigrid the same year

[@FrauWilhelmKlink]

Sigrid was Patricia's stage name

[@GeorgeMaster-xg7lg]

​@@FrauWilhelmKlinkRichard Dawson was his best man.They married(Bob and Sigrid)on the Hogan's Heroes set.

[@glenoneill3950]

motive motive motive

[@brendanmoran1405]

Disappointed in your book. I apologize, I have no interest in your high school or college adventures. Both you and Hook merely rehashed what is already been know for years. That being said, it's a damn shame the Scottsdale PD was LOST. They didn't do your father justice.

[@lovesong1844]

still doesnt mean Carpenter didnt do it. just that that particular blood wasnt his

[@lovesong1844]

what if the blood on the door was carpenter’s because when he murdered crane he cut himself? possibly? just seems most likely that it was him

[@robvangessel3766]

Per Bob Crane's 2nd wife, maybe a hire. But then the coincidence of blood on Carpenter's car. WHOSE blood was it? Somewhere in this circle seems to imply an outside party willing to be involved, probably for a good sum of money. Boy, these things are aggravating! And I just came off watching the film ZODIAC.

[@MM1717mm]

these dudes are pretty upbeat and giggly ... weird considering a bludgeoning was the impetus for this piece ... but i’ll try not to judge

[@ofrabjousday1]

Well, if one of the two profiles found in the car was too degraded to be conclusive, why is the question off the table as to whether that one was Robert's blood?

[@stephenstiles2]

But were the profiles different from each other? Otherwise the two samples could have been the same source, Callou Callais

[@michaelsinclair3321]

The person or people who killed Bob Crane may be dead by now Or still alive watching this and other efforts Bobs son is making for answers.

[@christinamcilwaine350]

He is dead John carpenter murdered bob crane

[@michaelsinclair3321]

@@christinamcilwaine350 I know he went to trial about that but was never imprisoned or found guilty in a court of law but if he did in fact murder him after all that grinning laughing high fivin woman swapping fun they had and they did have fun at least according to the film "Auto focus, but" for Carpenter to turn around and murder Crane who befriended him says alot about how unpredictable people are and can be, many times you never know until it's too late unfortunately.

[@RichardZion]

Vic Morrow.another sad story,dirty Hollywood!

[@karlfonner7589]

It was the headless Horseman who killed IckyBobCrane!!!

[@davef.2811]

What was Dawson's blood type?

[@joeambrose3260]

I think it's a conspiracy. They should bring Clary in for questioning

[@jblue705]

@@joeambrose3260 troll 🤮

[@joeambrose3260]

@@jblue705 That's Mr Troll to you

[@Landrew0]

Basking in his father's former glory like a frog in the sun.

[@parisjackson9310]

Unlike the youngest who had a website flogging off p0rn photos, videos and gruesome details?

[@markmadonia2867]

The col. was trying to fix his life and ended up loosing it for his effort

[@art.demirjian9721]

It could be "Accidental Suicide"! He might got very-very frustrated and disappointed about the failing or unsuccessful work he was trying to accomplish, then suddenly and accidentally hit the tripod to his head by getting extremely nervous and began to rap the video tape around his neck. Once it happened to me - I was extremely nervous and raise my hand and accidentally hit the ceiling lamp and fell on top of my head by breaking into pieces, I began to bleed badly and it hurt very badly for couple of days.

[@mcneato1862]

Are u fukn serious! ... 🤦🏼‍♂️

[@jblue705]

@@mcneato1862 lol

[@jamesmorgan2064]

Hahaha what a butt nut

[@renesagahon4477]

Sounds like. Bad infomercial

[@mcneato1862]

Yeaahh... He needed his 15 minutes of fame. Sadly off his Dad's unsolved murder. Could've been him for all we know. Mad that dad left the fam. for whores🤷🏼‍♂️

[@nicholasjanke3476]

I'm sure detectives considered that possibility and no doubt questioned Bob Jr. But he obviously had an airtight alibi.

[@anthonyvarricchio1404]

He was mad because he got no money from his father

[@parisjackson9310]

If so, he has every right. What a travesty of justice. It wouldn't subsist in my country.