Gayle left behind a typed “goodbye” note mentioning a man named “Nicky,” but her family doubted she wrote it because it contained curse words, unlike her usual devout behavior. She also left her car, phone, wallet, and checkbook, but Robert claimed a large safe with cash and a gun was missing.

Robert’s story was full of holes. He lied about where he went the night Gayle disappeared, actually visiting his former girlfriend instead of going to his North Carolina address as he claimed. He also texted his girlfriend the day after Gayle disappeared to say Gayle had left him. Police found blood stains in the house and believed Robert was responsible.

The police investigation revealed Robert had been having an affair, which Gayle knew about. A key piece of evidence was the non-existent safe. The couple’s 10-year-old daughter and other family members said it never existed.

Robert was charged with obstruction of justice for lying to the police and was convicted, serving 10 years in prison. He was also charged with murder, but those charges were dropped. A judge later ruled Gayle dead and that Robert was responsible, ensuring her children inherited her estate. The circumstances strongly suggest foul play was involved in Gayle’s disappearance.