In the heart of San Francisco, a city known for its vibrant culture and historic landmarks, a mystery unfolded in late 1980 that would leave a lasting impact on the community. This is the story of Valerie McDonald, an aspiring actress whose sudden disappearance left a trail of questions that remain unanswered to this day.
A Promising Star Vanishes
Valerie McDonald, described as a “stunning blonde” with a beauty that could turn heads on the street, was an aspiring actress with dreams of making it big in the industry. One day, she left her North Beach apartment with a man who had promised her a role in a Dustin Hoffman movie filming locally. That was the last time anyone saw her.
The Investigation and Its Challenges
When Valerie didn’t return, her friends reached out to the San Francisco police. However, they were told they had to wait 72 hours before they could file a missing person’s report. With McDonald still missing a week later, her parents flew down from Oregon, but the police suggested that their daughter had probably taken off for Vegas.
The Suspects and Their Dark Past
As the investigation progressed, two names surfaced — John Gordon Abbott and Phillip Arthur Thompson. Abbott, who had strong ties to the 1980 crime, appeared on a series of true-crime podcasts on YouTube to talk about his life of crime. These were his first public appearances in around 30 years. In one of the episodes, he dismissively explained his and Thompson’s connection to Valerie’s disappearance.
The CIA Connection
The case took a bizarre turn when it was revealed that Abbott and Thompson had major connections to the CIA and FBI, including working on President Nixon’s re-election committee. When more dead bodies started turning up, police feared McDonald was the victim of a serial killer or a satanic cult.
The Lingering Questions
Despite the leads and the mounting evidence, Valerie’s body wasn’t found for many years, so neither Abbott nor Thompson were ever charged. Today, Thompson is serving life for another crime, but Abbott is a successful landlord with properties internationally.
The Hope for Justice
The story of Valerie McDonald serves as a stark reminder of the many unsolved cases that still haunt our society. It’s a call to action for us to never stop seeking the truth, no matter how complex or convoluted the path may be. As for Valerie’s case, the hope remains that one day, justice will be served.
Conclusion
The disappearance of Valerie McDonald is a chilling tale of ambition, deception, and the dark underbelly of society. It’s a story that continues to captivate and confound, serving as a stark reminder of the importance of relentless pursuit of truth and justice. As we delve deeper into the labyrinth of this case, we are left with more questions than answers, a testament to the complex and often elusive nature of truth.
