Join hosts Ashley Flowers and Laurie Travis on "The Deck," as they delve into the mysterious disappearance of Rosemarie Gayheart, who sought a new beginning in the Sunshine State only to vanish under alarming circumstances. This gripping episode gathers the fragmented details surrounding her 1984 disappearance, the tumultuous events that preceded it, and the enduring quest for answers that has stretched across decades.
The narrative weaves through Rosemarie's struggles, from the heartbreaking and contentious death of her son Danny to the adversarial dynamics with her boyfriend Bobby's family. Witnesses last recall Rosemarie climbing into an enigmatic red pickup truck—an image that haunts the case. Meanwhile, the perseverance of Rose's family, especially her sister Laurie, sheds light on their harrowing journey through delayed police action and potential leads gone cold. As the story unfolds, it reveals a tapestry of unresolved leads and dedicated advocacy for the missing, setting a profound backdrop for a saga that continues to resonate.
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Rosemarie Gayheart's disappearance continues to be a subject of interest after she moved to Florida in 1984. She relocated for a fresh start with her boyfriend Bobby but vanished a few months after.
The mysterious death of Rose's son, Danny, in 1983 involved allegations and legal challenges for Rose. She entered an Alfred plea to avoid conviction on charges related to his death. Prior to moving to Florida, she gave her second son up for adoption.
Rose sought a new life in Cape Coral, Florida, in December 1984. She maintained a close connection with her sister Laurie, sharing her happiness and plans through letters and calls, conveying a sense of optimism in her new life.
The relationship between Rose and Dorothy, Bobby's mother, was fraught with conflict. After a serious fight in mid-March, for which Dorothy bought Rose a bus ticket back to New York, Dorothy detailed the issues in a letter to Rose's mother.
Witness reports, including those from Dorothy, a bar patron, and Rose's employer, suggest Rose was last seen getting into a red pickup truck on the day she disappeared. However, no substantial police investigation seemed to pursue the lead of the red truck.
Due to miscommunication and assumptions, Rose's family delayed reporting her missing. They assumed she was on her return to New York and were only prompted to act after a call from Dorothy's ex-husband raised alarms.
Dorothy and Bobby, both of whom had strained relationships with Rose, gave inconsistent stories and denied involvement, which caught the attention of law enforcement. Bobby took a polygraph exam with inconclusive results.
Laurie confronted Bobby in 2016, and in 2021 she suspected Roland Davis might be involved in Rose's disappearance. She learned Davis frequented the same bar as Rose and had a history of criminal acts consistent with her sister's case.
Roland Davis, a potential suspect in Rose's case, matched previous descriptions and timelines. Despite his implication in other murders and a history of violence, he died in 2022 before he could be further questioned.
1-Page Summary
In a concerning case that still evokes questions, Rosemarie Gayheart’s disappearance shortly after her 1984 relocation to Florida remains a deeply troubling mystery.
Details surrounding Rose's relationship troubles prior to her disappearance are scant in the provided content but may be relevant to the investigation.
Unfortunately, the information regarding the last confirmed sightings of Rose in March 1985 is not elaborate in the given details.
Upon Rosemarie Gayheart’s suspected disappearance, William and Donna Johnson filed a police report with the Cape Coral Police Department on May 10th without delay, fearing foul play. Detective Sergeant Dave Stadleman received the initial report; however, progress was hindered by the common, yet dispassionate view of Rose as an adult who merely chose to vanish.
The mystery deepened, leading Rose's case to resurface with the Livingston County Sheriff's Department in New York, where Majo ...
The disappearance of Rosemarie Gayheart in 1984 shortly after moving to Florida
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In 1983, the mysterious death of Rose's son Danny raised numerous questions and allegations, casting a shadow over the events that transpired.
Rose found herself entangled in a legal battle after her son's untimely death. In an effort to avoid a potentially lengthy prison sentence, she opted for an Alfred plea, which allowed her to maintain her innocence while conceding that enough evidence existed to potentially convict her of charges related to Danny's death.
Before the controversy surroundi ...
Allegations surrounding Rose's son Danny's suspicious death in 1983
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Rose’s journey for a new beginning leads her to sunny Cape Coral, Florida, in the hope of better prospects alongside her boyfriend Bobby. Her sister Laurie becomes a key confidante documenting this shift through their heartfelt correspondence.
In December 1984, Rose made the decision to leave Dansville, New York, and head to Florida. Laurie Travis received a phone call from Rose on Christmas Eve, announcing her plans to move the very next morning. Rose invited Laurie to a farewell, demonstrating an eagerness to maintain the familial bond, even with the distance.
Despite the geographical distance, Rose and her sister Laurie maintained a close relationship. The sisters actively corresponded through letters and long-distance phone calls, ensuring they stayed a significant part of each other's lives even as Rose adapted to her new surroundings in Florida.
Rose looking for a fresh start in Florida
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The relationship between Rose and Dorothy has been marked by conflict and tension, ultimately resulting in their separation.
Dorothy reportedly had a significant altercation with Rose in mid-March at her trailer, which led to Dorothy asking Rose to leave and not return. Following the fight, Dorothy claimed to have purchased a bus ticket for Rose to return to New York, signaling the end of their cohabitation.
According to Dorothy, the last time she saw Rose was at Jim's Bar where Dorothy attempted to give Rose the bus ticket back to New York. Despite this gesture and the indication of the end of their relationship, it is unclear whether Rose accepted the ticket or the separation as final.
Continuing the communication about t ...
Rose's contentious relationship with Dorothy
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Several witnesses, including Dorothy, a bar patron, and Rose's employer, have reported seeing Rose with a man in a red pickup truck on the day she disappeared. However, there appears to be a lack of police pursuit regarding this lead.
Fred Riepe has corroborated accounts that Rose was seen with a man in a red pickup truck on March 17. Dorothy, who was at Jim's bar, specifically mentioned in her letter that she saw Rose leave with a guy in a red pickup truck, indicating this was the last time Rose was seen by her. According to another account, Rose was last seen getting into a pickup truck at Howie's Hot Dogs, potentially consistent with Dorothy's observation.
Despite the multiple mentions and witness accounts of the red pickup truck, there seems to be no docu ...
Multiple reports of Rose seen getting into a red pickup truck before vanishing
Rose's family delay in reporting her as missing was based on a set of assumptions and an unexpected phone call that led to the escalation of their concerns.
Initially, Rose's family was under the assumption that she was on her way back up to Dansville from Cape Coral and expected her to just show up one day. This belief likely contributed to the delay in realizing that Rose might be missing, as the family was waiting for her to return on her own.
The family's decision to finally file a missing person report was prompted by a phone call from Dorothy's ex- ...
Rose's family not reporting her missing until May 1985
In the light of Rose's mysterious disappearance, police investigations are closing in on two individuals, Dorothy and Bobby, both of whom have been presenting perplexing and often contradictory stories.
Bobby and Dorothy have both denied any involvement in Rose's disappearance but have provided odd explanations that have raised suspicions.
Bobby assured Rose’s family that she was okay and even claimed that the FBI had been in contact with her, a statement which later proved to be untrue. In another instance, Bobby told his boss the same story about the FBI, which further compounded doubt regarding his truthfulness.
Dorothy reported a significant argument at her trailer, after which she asserted that she had kicked Rose out. She went as far as making a formal statement to the sheriff's office declaring that Rose was not welcome back into her home.
Furthermore, Dorothy's narrative aligns with Bobby’s claim that he had not seen or talked to Rose since mid-March, believing she migh ...
Police investigations focusing on Dorothy and Bobby
Laurie Travis, intensely focused on seeking answers to her sister Rose’s disappearance, has tirelessly worked to keep the case in the public consciousness.
After many years of searching for clues, Laurie made a significant encounter in 2016 when she approached Bobby in a bar. She inquired about her sister Rose's whereabouts; during this conversation, Bobby mentioned he did not know what had happened to Rose. He suggested that his mother, who had conflicts with Rose, could potentially be involved.
Laurie's persistence in advocating for her sister led to a potential breakthrough in 2021. A friend sent her an article about the solved cold case murder of Sharon Gill in ...
Rose's sister Laurie investigating the case and advocating for missing persons
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Laurie Travis and Detective Joshua Monstor discovered Roland Davis’s potential connection to her sister Rose’s case through past descriptions and confessed criminal activities.
Laurie saw a mug shot of Roland from the early '90s and noted that he had the same dark, curly hair that fit the descriptions related to Rose's disappearance. Detective Joshua Monstor reviewed interview transcripts which revealed that Roland Davis admitted to being in Cape Coral, which is where Rose was last seen. Davis had confessed to picking up women and killing prostitutes while driving a truck—details that coincided with the circumstances surrounding the Rose case.
Laurie was informed by Ja ...
Key suspect Roland Davis killed in 2022 before being questioned about Rose
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