Cold Case Files: REOPENED – Life on the Run

Host: Paula Barros
Release Date: July 3, 2025
Produced by: A&E / PodcastOne

Introduction to the Case

In the episode titled "REOPENED: Life on the Run," Cold Case Files delves into the intricate story of Richard Bannister, a fugitive whose criminal activities spanned over two decades. This case intertwines elements of drug trafficking, identity theft, and relentless investigative efforts that ultimately led to Bannister's capture after years of evasion.

Early Life and Community Integration

Narrator: The story begins in 1974 when Richard Bannister owned an import-export store in New Mexico. His operations drew international attention when, on November 30, 1974, Bolivian cocaine was discovered concealed within wooden statues he imported.

Special Agent Reuben Gomez (03:07): "One of the statues between the base and the actual statue itself, there was a little corner of plastic sticking out. It was pretty obvious that something was inside that thing."

Upon inspection, authorities found a staggering $2.2 million worth of cocaine hidden in the statues. Bannister attempted to evade prosecution by replacing the cocaine with a similar-looking white powder, allowing the package to proceed to its destination unchecked.

Special Agent Reuben Gomez (03:29): "So then they opened the other three statues, and sure enough, each one of them was packed with cocaine. And I think, I believe it came out to a total of 22 pounds."

Bannister's Disappearance and Identity Theft

After his arrest, Bannister's bail was set at $75,000 but was later reduced to $20,000 with a 10% provision, requiring only $2,000 for release. On December 26, 1974, Bannister absconded, vanishing without a trace.

Fast forward to the early 1990s, Dick Lepley, a respected bike shop owner in northern Pennsylvania, discovers discrepancies in his credit report.

Dick Lepley (05:07): "Lepley had a good relationship with a banker, and he called me while he was putting the loan together and said, you ought to take a look at your credit. There's some real weird stuff showing up on it."

Lepley's Social Security number had been fraudulently used by someone named Neil Murdoch from Crested Butte, Colorado, leading to significant financial and reputational damage.

Dick Lepley (05:49): "The interesting thing was Murdoch's name actually supplanted mine on all my credit reports. It was kind of like I was the guy that didn't exist or I was the bad guy."

After three years of struggling to reclaim his identity, Lepley contacts the Social Security Administration's investigative unit.

Special Agent Ray Plummery (06:23): "I received a call from Dick in January of 1998. He indicated to me that there was a person in Crested Butte, Colorado, that was using his Social Security number."

Investigative Breakthrough

Agent Plummery initiates a background check on Neil Murdoch but finds no substantial information. A visit to the Crested Butte Police Department yields conflicting accounts about Murdoch's background, raising suspicions.

Special Agent Ray Plummery (07:09): "And he said, oh, yeah, he's lived here for 20 plus years and used to run a bike shop and he works in the health food store now. And nice guy, kind of one of the leading citizens of town. And I'm thinking to myself, this doesn't add up."

Determined to uncover the truth, Plummery confronts Murdoch (Bannister) at his workplace.

Special Agent Ray Plummery (09:39): "Well, I told him that we had a report that the Social Security number he'd been using belongs to someone else. And he seemed taken aback by that... It's very strange. I don't know how to respond to."

Upon requesting Murdoch's fingerprints and photographs, discrepancies emerge when the health food store provides a different Social Security number.

Special Agent Ray Plummery (10:44): "And up popped a warrant on Richard Bannister."

The Manhunt Intensifies

With newfound evidence linking Murdoch to the fugitive Bannister, investigators deploy U.S. Marshal Ron Halvorson to apprehend him.

Deputy Halvorson (11:45): "I was approached about 1 o' clock in the afternoon saying there's a sheriff down in Crested Butte Colorado who has information on a possible fugitive locate of ours."

Despite meticulous planning, Bannister evades capture, slipping away as Halvorson arrives too late.

Special Agent Reuben Gomez (12:33): "There was frustration on all the agencies parts because it appeared that we'd had an opportunity to possibly apprehend him and it didn't happen."

Attempts to gather information from the tight-knit Crested Butte community yield minimal cooperation until a local woman provides a crucial tip about Bannister's whereabouts.

Deputy Halvorson (13:15): "She saw Richard Bannister get in the car with a friend of hers at about 7 o' clock in the morning and she said they looked like they were... headed to Four Corners, Colorado."

Final Capture After Decades

The pursuit leads investigators to Taos, New Mexico, where Bannister adopts the alias Grafton Mahler. After extensive surveillance and community inquiries, Bannister is finally located in a local thrift store.

Deputy Alfonso (17:05): "Walked into the store, and Grafton Mahler, AKA Richard Bannister, Neil Murdoch is walking towards me, And I said, Mr. Mahler. And he just stared at my badge, and he blinked quite a bit. I remember that. But he didn't move. He froze. He was shocked."

Confronted with undeniable evidence, Bannister confesses.

Deputy Alfonso (18:11): "When I got him to the jail, I told him, you know, we could spend the next 30 minutes here taking your fingerprints, and then I'd have to run him to the FBI database to... or you can just sit here and tell me that you are. And he said, I am Richard Gordon Bannister."

Aftermath and Reflections

Richard Bannister pled guilty to drug trafficking and bail jumping, receiving a nine-year prison sentence. While some in the community viewed his punishment as lenient, Dick Lepley remained unsatisfied, emphasizing the personal and financial toll Bannister's actions had inflicted on his life.

Dick Lepley (18:58): "Now, let me see. I'm an honest guy, employ 50 people, have paid my bills, have contributed to this community for 35 years, now spent 5 years cleaning up that mess that he got me in. Nine's not enough. He could sit there for the rest of time for all I care."

The episode concludes with reflections from the marshals involved, underscoring the relentless pursuit and eventual triumph over a fugitive who managed to elude capture for over two decades.

Deputy Alfonso (19:36): "I always expect to end the day with an arrest. When I leave to work a warrant, I leave with the positive attitude that I'm going to come back with the body."

Special Agent Reuben Gomez (19:46): "We're relentless, and eventually, we're going to catch them. Every fugitive is catchable, and we're going to catch them unless time catches up to them first."

Conclusion

"REOPENED: Life on the Run" encapsulates a gripping narrative of persistence, identity deception, and ultimate justice. Through meticulous investigation and unwavering determination, law enforcement was able to unravel a complex web of deceit, bringing Richard Bannister to account for his long-standing crimes. This case serves as a testament to the enduring effort required to solve cold cases and the profound impact such resolutions have on the lives affected.

Notable Quotes:

• Special Agent Reuben Gomez (03:07): "It could be a crime against canine health."

• Dick Lepley (05:07): "There's some real weird stuff showing up on it."

• Special Agent Ray Plummery (07:02): "Everything I tried to track down on the guy came up blank."

• Deputy Halvorson (13:15): "They looked like they were... headed to Four Corners, Colorado."

• Deputy Alfonso (17:05): "He just stared at my badge... he froze. He was shocked."

• Dick Lepley (19:20): "Nine's not enough. He could sit there for the rest of time for all I care."

For more detailed accounts and similar cases, visit the A&E Real Crime blog at aetv.com or explore additional episodes of Cold Case Files.