The Deck Podcast Summary
Episode: Robert "Bob" Christian (4 of Spades, Wisconsin)
Host: audiochuck
Release Date: April 16, 2025
Case Overview
In this compelling episode of The Deck, host audiochuck delves into the mysterious disappearance of Robert "Bob" Christian, an 18-year-old freshman at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Bob's sudden vanishing in September 1977 has remained one of Wisconsin's most baffling cold cases. The episode meticulously examines the events leading up to his disappearance, the initial investigation, and the ongoing efforts to uncover the truth nearly half a century later.
The Disappearance
On the evening of Friday, September 16, 1977, Bob was set to join his childhood friend, Randy Griffith, for a weekend hunting trip to kick off deer hunting season. Bob arrived punctually at Randy's mother's home in Baraboo, Wisconsin, intending to stay the night before heading out early the next morning. However, as time passed with no sign of Bob, concerns grew.
At [04:25], Randy Griffith recounts:
"One thing is Bob was always earlier or definitely on time, but he was never late. And when he didn't arrive by 6:30, we said this ain't like him."
Despite Bob's reputation for reliability, he failed to appear, prompting his family to initiate a search when he remained missing for nearly three hours.
Initial Investigation
Bob's car, a brand-new 1977 AMC Hornet borrowed from his mother Carolyn after he had blown out his motorcycle engine that same week, was found abandoned off Tower Road in Sauk County. Notably, the car was missing all four wheels, the battery had been stolen, and the front license plate was discarded in the woods. Inside, investigators discovered personal items, including Bob's high school letterman's jacket and an overnight bag, but crucial hunting equipment was missing.
At [09:20], Sauk County Detective Tyler Pointon explains:
"Nowadays, we would have definitely kept stuff for DNA, but they didn't know what DNA was. So a heavy, intensive search starts."
The initial search involved bloodhounds tracking a scent trail, aerial searches with a helicopter from the Army National Guard, and extensive ground patrols, yet no definitive leads emerged.
Suspicious Activity and Leads
During the investigation, two intriguing tips surfaced:
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Sighting by a Neighbor: At [13:41], Sister Genevieve, a local nun, reported a break-in at her cottage on the night of Bob's disappearance. Someone had entered through a window, leaving behind signs of temporary habitation but no valuables were stolen. Later that evening, a friend named Mary noticed a tan AMC station wagon driven by a young man matching Bob's description searching for him.
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Discovery at a Local Quarry: A call from a local quarry revealed discarded tires and hubcaps from an AMC car, later linked to Bob's vehicle. Detective Pointon notes at [20:54]:
"Investigators looked into all of the different makes and models of cars that the wheels would have fit, and they came up with a list of over a dozen, including Plymouths, AMC's and Dodges."
Despite these leads, the suspects could not be conclusively identified, and the case stalled without substantial evidence.
The Connection to John Wayne Gacy
A pivotal development occurred in the early 1980s when a Wisconsin Department of Justice special agent posited a connection between Bob's disappearance and the notorious serial killer John Wayne Gacy. Gacy, active in the Midwest during the late 1970s, was convicted of murdering 33 young men.
At [31:21], Detective Pointon elaborates:
"The theory that John Wayne Gacy could have killed Bob didn't come out of nowhere during the years that he was known to be active."
Gacy's presence in Wisconsin around the time of Bob's disappearance raised suspicions, particularly given Bob's profile fitting Gacy's victim profile. However, Bob's family vehemently denied any association with criminal activities, making the connection more complex.
Reopened Investigation and DNA Matching
Fast forward to 2023, Detective Tyler Pointon took on the cold case, leveraging advancements in DNA technology. Although Bob's fingerprints were never on file, a latent print found in his car remained unidentified, potentially belonging to Bob himself.
At [35:03], Pointon discusses the challenges:
"Detective Pointon is still trying to figure out if he was ever explicitly interviewed about Bob."
Efforts to match DNA from John Wayne Gacy's unidentified victims to Bob’s family DNA led to collaborative endeavors with the Cook County Sheriff's office. As [36:04] highlights, an investigative genetic genealogist emphasized the necessity of direct comparisons between familial DNA and unidentified remains to establish a possible match.
Family Impact and Further Tragedy
The Christian family endured additional heartache when, in 1983, Bob's sister Kathy was tragically killed in a bar fire. Initially believed to be an accident, it was later revealed to be arson linked to an outlaw biker gang, the Ghost Riders, who suspected her of being an informant.
At [42:07], Amy Christian reflects:
"I lost my first hero, and then my second."
Despite the separate nature of Kathy's death, investigators examined whether there could be a connection to Bob's disappearance but found no substantial evidence linking the two cases.
Current Status and Ongoing Efforts
Today, Robert "Bob" Christian remains missing, and Detective Tyler Pointon continues to pursue leads in hopes of finally resolving the case. With advances in forensic technology and renewed interest, there is a lingering hope that new evidence may come to light.
At [47:24], Randy Griffith appeals:
"The only thing I can plea for is somebody out there... Somebody saw something. Please contact Detective Tyler Pointon and please, you know, come forward."
As Bob would now be 66 years old, the search for answers persists, driven by the enduring desire of his family and the dedication of law enforcement officials to bring closure to this decades-old mystery.
Notable Quotes
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Randy Griffith [04:25]:
"One thing is Bob was always earlier or definitely on time, but he was never late."
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Amy Christian [05:19]:
"This is not Bob. Bob is not somebody who is gonna just take off without letting somebody know what's going on."
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Detective Tyler Pointon [09:20]:
"Nowadays, we would have definitely kept stuff for DNA, but they didn't know what DNA was."
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Amy Christian [25:37]:
"You know, he was a likable guy who wasn't into drama or anything like that."
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Detective Tyler Pointon [35:03]:
"Detective Pointon is still trying to figure out if he was ever explicitly interviewed about Bob."
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Randy Griffith [37:41]:
"It's going to take a little while... it's something that we will have done in the near future."
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Amy Christian [39:07]:
"I know for a long time I felt like, golly, did our family deserve this? What happened? This is just wrong, you know."
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Randy Griffith [44:42]:
"Nobody came and talked to me since 1977. He's the first Sauk County detective that came to visit me."
Closing Appeal
The episode concludes with a heartfelt plea for anyone with information to come forward, emphasizing the enduring hope of the Christian family and the relentless pursuit of justice by Detective Pointon.
Randy Griffith:
"The only thing I can plea for is somebody out there, whether it was your uncle, your grandpa, great grandfather, somebody talked about it. Somebody lived out there. Somebody saw something. Please contact Detective Tyler Pointon and please, you know, come forward."
Listeners are encouraged to reach out with any information that could shed light on Bob Christian's disappearance, offering multiple avenues for contact to assist in resolving this enduring mystery.
If you have any information regarding Bob Christian's disappearance, please contact Detective Tyler Pointon at 608-355-3205, the Sauk County Sheriff's Office non-emergency line at 800-377-1195, or remain anonymous via Sauk County Crime Stoppers at 1-888-TIPSOCK.
This summary is based on the transcript provided and aims to encapsulate the key elements of the podcast episode without including advertisements or non-essential sections.