Morbid Episode 680: Frederick Bourdin and the Disappearance of Nicholas Barclay
Release Date: June 12, 2025
Introduction
In this chilling episode of Morbid, hosts Ash and Elena delve into the perplexing and tragic case of Nicholas Barclay—a 13-year-old boy who mysteriously disappeared in 1994 and whose return three years later under dubious circumstances would unravel a web of deception and unanswered questions.
The Disappearance of Nicholas Barclay
June 1994 marks the day Nicholas Barclay vanished after an argument with his mother, Beverly Dollarhyde. According to Elena, "A few hours later, after his friends had gone, like all gone home, Nicholas called the house to ask his mother to pick him up. But his half-brother Jason picked up the phone and told him that their mom was sleeping and he didn't want to have to wake her up" (07:07). This initial dismissal left Nicholas to walk home alone, and despite his troubled past of running away, his disappearance soon shifted from a possible runaway incident to a suspected ordeal of foul play.
Nicholas's Return from Spain
Three years after his disappearance, in fall 1997, the family received an unexpected call from the U.S. Embassy in Spain stating that Nicholas had been found in a children's home and was eager to return home (09:42). Elated yet cautious, Nicholas's sister, Carrie Gibson, traveled to Spain to reunite with him. However, discrepancies soon emerged:
- Physical Changes: Nicholas exhibited noticeable differences, such as a "shadow of a beard" and altered eye color from vibrant blue to light brown (12:23).
- Behavioral Shifts: His quietness and skittish nature raised suspicions among investigators (16:16).
The Unraveling of the Impostor
Private Investigator Charlie Parker became pivotal in uncovering the truth. While observing a local news interview with the man claiming to be Nicholas, Parker noticed inconsistencies between the man in front of him and an old photograph of the real Nicholas, particularly focusing on the ears—a feature that remains unchanged throughout one's life (25:29).
Upon requesting a high-resolution photograph for comparison, Parker discovered stark differences, leading him to conclude that the individual was not the missing boy but an impostor. This revelation was confirmed when the man admitted, during a breakfast meeting, "she's not my mother and you know it" (34:41).
Further investigation revealed that the impostor was Frederick Bourdin, a 25-year-old French man with a history of impersonating others. His elaborate scheme involved:
- Identity Manipulation: Dyeing his hair, altering eye color, and acquiring fake tattoos to resemble Nicholas.
- Psychological Manipulation: Capitalizing on the family's grief to mask his true identity.
Bourdin's Background and Motives
Frederick Bourdin's troubled past laid the foundation for his deceptive behaviors:
- Early Life: Born in 1974 in Nanterre, France, to a single mother and an older Algerian father he never knew, Frederick faced neglect and abuse from his grandfather.
- Impersonation History: Throughout his youth, Frederick developed a penchant for creating alternate identities, leading to multiple encounters with law enforcement and Interpol for impersonation and fraud.
Elena notes, "He had this way of making you connect with him. And they described Frederick as a, quote, precocious and captivating child who had an extraordinary imagination and visual sense, drawing wild, beautiful comic strips" (42:00). However, his inclination towards deceit eventually morphed into criminality.
FBI Investigation and Family Dynamics
Despite evidence suggesting the family's possible involvement in Nicholas's disappearance, Beverly and her son Frederick remained uncooperative:
- Polygraph Tests: Beverly passed two polygraph exams but failed a third, indicating potential deception (64:14).
- Sibling Suspicion: Jason, Nicholas's half-brother, displayed hostility during FBI interviews and ultimately succumbed to a drug overdose shortly after a failed rehabilitation attempt (65:02).
The family's unwavering belief in Frederick's true identity complicated the investigation, transforming them from grieving relatives into obstacles in uncovering the truth.
Legal Consequences for Frederick Bourdin
In September 1998, Frederick pleaded guilty to perjury and obtaining and possessing false documents, receiving a six-year sentence—three times the recommended penalty for his charges (66:04). Upon his release, he was deported back to France, where he resumed his life of deception, marrying and fathering five children under another assumed identity.
Ongoing Mystery: The Fate of Nicholas Barclay
Despite the exposure of Frederick Bourdin's impersonation, Nicholas Barclay remains missing. The FBI and investigators continue to suspect that the family knew more about his disappearance than they revealed, but concrete evidence remains elusive. As Ash poignantly reflects, "You can't just pretend that that's not weird...like a 13 year old boy who went missing. That just is gone, gone in this whole thing" (68:38).
Conclusion
The case of Frederick Bourdin and the disappearance of Nicholas Barclay underscores the profound impact of deception intertwined with personal tragedy. While Frederick's manipulative actions have been brought to light, the true fate of Nicholas remains a haunting unresolved mystery, leaving a family shattered and a community searching for answers.
Notable Quotes:
- Elena (07:07): "A few hours later... Nicholas never did return home."
- Ash (34:41): "...she's not my mother and you know it."
- Elena (42:00): "He had this way of making you connect with him."
- Ash (68:38): "You can't just pretend that that's not weird...like a 13 year old boy who went missing."
Note: Time stamps correspond to the transcript provided and are indicative of when each quoted statement occurs within the podcast episode.