Snapped: Women Who Murder – Episode Summary: Kimberly Bailey

Overview

In this gripping episode of Snapped: Women Who Murder, Oxygen delves deep into the chilling case of Kimberly Bailey, a successful entrepreneur whose paranoia and jealousy led her to orchestrate the kidnapping, torture, and eventual murder of her private investigator and former lover, Rick Post. Released on April 27, 2025, this episode meticulously unpacks the intricate web of deceit, betrayal, and criminality that culminated in one of San Diego's most notorious crimes.

Background

Kimberly Bailey, a millionaire born in Oklahoma and raised in Stillwater, emerged as a formidable businesswoman with ventures in natural medicine and cutting-edge medical devices. Her ranch in Fallbrook, California, served as both a sanctuary for her medicinal plant collection and the base for her successful company, AstroPulse.

Rick Post, a handsome and highly intelligent private investigator, founded Intellisource, a San Diego-based firm specializing in various investigations, including those involving dangerous subjects like the Mexican drug cartel. Rick's expertise and charm made him a valuable asset to his clients, notably Kimberly Bailey, who became his most significant client, providing the bulk of the company's monthly income.

The Disappearance of Rick Post

On August 21, 1998, Rick Post vanished without a trace, sparking immediate concern within his family and professional circles. His son, Ian Post, reported the disappearance after noticing Rick's car abandoned with keys left in the mailbox. Despite Rick's history of sudden trips due to his investigative work, his abrupt absence without any prior notice or preparation was highly unusual and alarming.

Rick's Son shares, “Rip didn't tell his 16-year-old boy that he was going anyplace. Took no clothes, took no medications with him. That's not a normal business trip. It's suspicious.” [04:37]

The Investigation

San Diego Police Department initiated a missing persons investigation, quickly zeroing in on Kimberly Bailey and John Krueger, Rick's protege. Initial interviews with Kimberly revealed murky details about Rick's last known whereabouts in Mexico, but tangible leads remained elusive.

As months passed without progress, the FBI intervened with a cryptic phone call hinting at a connection between Rick's disappearance and a potential murder. This led investigators to delve deeper into Kimberly's background, uncovering her previous fraudulent activities with AstroPulse and her inherent paranoia, which included fears of being watched and accused of embezzlement.

A Breakthrough with Svetlana Ogorodnikova

The case took a dramatic turn when FBI agents discovered that Svetlana Ogorodnikova, a former KGB spy with a history of espionage in the United States, was residing at Kimberly's ranch. Svetlana became a pivotal figure in unraveling the mystery as she revealed startling information about Kimberly's involvement in Rick's disappearance.

Expert/Investigator notes, “Svetlana was someone that is known to virtually every FBI agent who joined the agency during the 1980s and 1990s.” [25:54]

Through a sting operation involving undercover FBI agent Nick McKean posing as a hitman, Kimberly's true intentions were exposed. In a secretly recorded conversation, Kimberly confessed her role in Rick's torture and murder, driven by her unfounded belief that Rick was embezzling funds and his infidelity.

The Trial

Kimberly Bailey's trial commenced in 2002, presenting a harrowing recount of her calculated moves to eliminate Rick Post. Her defense hinged on the assertion that Rick was still alive, leveraging testimonies from Svetlana and John Krueger. However, the prosecution's evidence, including the covert recordings and Svetlana's credible testimony, painted a damning picture of Kimberly's motives and actions.

Despite compelling evidence, the jury found Kimberly guilty of kidnapping but deadlocked on the murder charge due to the absence of Rick's body. Kimberly, steadfast in her denial, refused to accept a plea deal, choosing instead to represent herself during sentencing.

Rick's Son reflects, “When the court cases happened, it took over again and we had to relive it again to listen to the horrible details of what they did to my father. It was, you know, pretty horrific.” [41:51]

Ultimately, Kimberly was sentenced to life plus ten years in prison for kidnapping. Her accomplices, John Krueger and Humberto Uribe, received 12 years and 25 years respectively, though many questioned the leniency of these sentences.

Aftermath

The Post family, devastated by the loss of Rick, found some closure through the trial's revelations. Rick's disappearance remained a poignant reminder of the tragic consequences of misplaced trust and unchecked paranoia.

In the years following the trial, Kimberly Bailey's health deteriorated. Diagnosed with cancer in prison, she declined medical treatments, opting instead to rely solely on her AstroPulse device until her death in 2008. Meanwhile, John Krueger was released in 2010, and Humberto Uribe was extradited and released in 2022.

Rick's Son concludes, “The sad thing is a father was murdered. Never came home to his son or the rest of his family who saw much more to him. You know, the man, his work, his craft, his care for his children. Ultimate family man. He was my father and he was my best friend.” [45:53]

Conclusion

The Kimberly Bailey case is a stark illustration of how personal vendettas and psychological instability can culminate in heinous crimes. Snapped: Women Who Murder masterfully captures the intricate details of this case, shedding light on the dark corridors of human behavior and the relentless pursuit of justice by law enforcement.

Notable Quotes

• Expert/Investigator: “He was as if he just walked out the door and poof. Vanished into thin air.” [02:18]

• Kimberly Bailey: “His voice sounded worried, forced, coerced. It did not sound like a natural thing.” [13:36]

• Rick's Son: “I always knew where he was. I knew something bad had happened.” [05:32]

• Expert/Investigator: “She thought that some of her employees were stealing from her.” [10:21]

• Kimberly Bailey: “Once they had Rick posed in Tijuana, Uribe forced him to make the call that the family heard.” [31:35]

Key Takeaways

• Complex Relationships: The intertwining personal and professional dynamics between Kimberly Bailey and Rick Post played a crucial role in the unfolding of events.

• Paranoia as a Motive: Kimberly's unfounded suspicions and jealousy were significant driving factors behind her decision to eliminate Rick.

• Law Enforcement Persistence: The collaboration between local authorities and the FBI, particularly leveraging Svetlana Ogorodnikova's insider knowledge, was instrumental in solving the case.

• Legal Implications: The trial highlighted challenges in prosecuting crimes without definitive evidence, such as the absence of Rick's body, which led to a partial conviction.

This episode serves as a compelling exploration of true crime, emphasizing the importance of thorough investigations and the complexities of human motivations in criminal behavior.