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| 1997 Bechler,Pegye 7-7-1997; Newport Beach | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Feb 12 2007, 11:04 PM (695 Views) | |
| oldies4mari2004 | Feb 12 2007, 11:04 PM Post #1 |
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http://www.charleyproject.org/cases/b/bechler_pegye.html Pegye Jann Bechler Above Images: Pegye, circa 1997 Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance Missing Since: July 7, 1997 from Newport Beach, California Classification: Endangered Missing Date of Birth: July 2, 1959 Age: 38 years old Height and Weight: 5'5, 130 pounds Distinguishing Characteristics: Caucasian female. Blonde hair, brown eyes. Pegye's maiden name is Marshall. She had an athletic build in 1997. She may wear tinted contact lenses. Details of Disappearance Pegye and her husband, Eric, rented an 18-foot powerboat and went for a sail in the Pacific Ocean off Newport Beach, California on July 7, 1997, to celebrate their fifth wedding anniversary. Photographs of of Eric and the boat are posted below this case summary. He was later found alone, clinging to a body board in the water and screaming for help. He said Pegye had been in the boat and he had been towed behind on the body board when he slipped under the water. When Eric resurfaced, Pegye was no longer in the boat and he assumed she had been swept off by a wave. At the time he was rescued the boat was found nearby, running in circles. Pegye's remains were not recovered, but she was presumed to have drowned. Eric and Pegye got along well and had three children together, but he drank heavily and was frequently unfaithful. The police were also called to their home twice for domestic disputes; no charges were filed in either incident. The Bechlers had founded Geri Care Rehabilitation, a retirement services company, and ran it together, but both of them were fired in March 1997 for alleged misconduct and misuse of company funds. The company had made Eric and Pegye very wealthy, but they were having financial trouble in 1997 and were also under investigation for alleged Medicare fraud. Eric took out an insurance policy worth over two million dollars on Peggy's life shortly before the boat trip, but was unable to collect on it afterwards. Although investigators and many people who knew the Bechlers had strong suspicions of murder from the beginning, Eric was not arrested until October 1999. He began dating an actress and bikini model, Tina New, a few months after Pegye disappeared. New was contacted by police and agreed to wear a recording device on her body. While both of them were under the influence of alcohol and the drug Ectasy, Eric made incriminating statements about Pegye's alleged murder to New. The taped confession lead to his arrest and was used against him at his trial. (New later recanted her testimony and stated she believed Eric had made up the confession. She subsequently recanted her recantation and afterwards maintained Eric had spoken truthfully when he said he killed Pegye.) Prosecutors stated that Eric beat Pegye to death with two 35-pound dumbbells, then tossed her body overboard, weighted by the dumbbells. The dumbbells were missing from the Bechler residence when police searched it. Eric's best friend testified that Eric had planned to kill his wife and dump her body in the ocean. The purpose of her murder was to get life insurance money. When confronted with the evidence, Eric still maintained that Pegye had drowned in a boating accident. He said he had made up the murder confession to impress New. No traces of Pegye's blood were found on the boat they had rented for the day, which is inconsistent with the statements Eric made to New. Eric was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole. His supporters set up a website proclaiming his innocence; they stated Eric had been unfairly convicted and Pegye may be alive and living in Spain, Australia or Morocco. Eric remains in prison and all of his appeals have been denied. Pegye's remains have never been found. Left: Eric Bechler; Right: The boat Investigating Agency If you have any information concerning this case, please contact: Newport Beach Police Department Source Information The Light CrimeNews2000 Orange County Alternative News Weekly Court TV The North County Times Free Bechler Updated 2 times since October 12, 2004. Last updated January 23, 2006; three pictures, height and weight, and date of birth added, distinguishing characteristics and details of disappearance updated. Charley Project Home Attached Image IP: ---------- |
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| oldies4mari2004 | Feb 12 2007, 11:06 PM Post #2 |
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| oldies4mari2004 | Feb 12 2007, 11:06 PM Post #3 |
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| oldies4mari2004 | Feb 12 2007, 11:09 PM Post #4 |
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| oldies4mari2004 | Feb 12 2007, 11:11 PM Post #5 |
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http://z10.invisionfree.com/usedtobedoe/in...pic=10574&st=0& |
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| PorchlightUSA | Mar 14 2010, 10:37 PM Post #6 |
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Newport Beach Police Department 949-644-3790 |
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