Case Details
- Photo URLs:
-
- Missing Since:
- Missing Since 02/15/2008
- Missing From:
- Missing From Orange County, California
- Classification:
- Classification Endangered Missing
- Gender:
- Male
- Race:
- Race White
- Date of Birth:
- Date of Birth 01/30/1937 (87)
- Age:
- Age 71 years old
- Height and Weight:
- Height and Weight 6’0, 180 pounds
- Clothing/Jewelry Description:
- Distinguishing Characteristics:
- Distinguishing Characteristics Caucasian male. Graying brown hair, hazel eyes.
- Details of Disappearance:
- On February 15, 2008, Vendrick from Arizona and Gary Shawkey from Virginia went sailing from Dana Point Harbor in California on a newly bought boat. Shawkey, a motivational speaker with a history of shady business dealings, had convinced Vendrick to invest $100,000 in a fake government computer contract. Vendrick wired the money, but he got cold feet.
Shawkey returned to shore alone on February 19th, claiming Vendrick had changed his mind at sea and they’d parted ways. Vendrick’s belongings were left at his hotel, and he was reported missing by his wife. The police found inconsistencies: the boat’s anchor, chain, and engine were replaced. Shawkey’s explanations didn’t add up.
Despite Shawkey’s claims of searching for Vendrick in Mexico and finding him there, no evidence supported this. Already in prison for unrelated financial crimes, Shawkey was later charged with and convicted of Vendrick’s murder. He was given a life sentence without parole. Vendrick’s body was never found, but given the suspicious circumstances and his lack of sailing experience, foul play is strongly suspected.
- Agency:
- Orange County Sheriff’s Department 714-647-7000
- Source Links:
This person was missing Missing Since 02/15/2008