Up and Vanished Up and Vanished Weekly | VANISHED: Richard Cox
Oct 8, 2025
Join investigative reporter Laurah Norton, host of "One Strange Thing" and "The Fall Line," as she delves into the enigmatic disappearance of West Point cadet Richard Cox. The discussion explores Richard's unsettling state of mind, the mysterious arrival of a friend named 'George,' and conflicting eyewitness accounts that blur the investigation. Motives ranging from personal dissatisfaction to potential CIA recruitment theories are also examined, leaving listeners pondering the true fate of Richard after 75 years.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Growing Disillusionment And German Service
- Richard showed mounting dissatisfaction with West Point and life plans, expressed in unsent letters and a doodle insulting the academy.
- His background included two years in Germany working as an intelligence clerk, which complicates motives and connections.
Conflicting Descriptions Of 'George'
- Witness descriptions of George diverged wildly, with one calling him tall and fair and another dark and rough-complexioned.
- The inconsistent sightings raise the possibility Richard met multiple strangers or that witness memory was unreliable.
Left Belongings Suggest Either Staging Or Deception
- Richard left nearly all personal valuables and civilian clothes behind, which contradicts a funded, planned escape.
- This could signal either a staged disappearance to imply foul play or meticulous planning meant to mislead investigators.
