Melvin had a history of trouble with the law. He owned a trash business and had been convicted of arson. After Wanda vanished, his babysitter, Shirley Souza, moved in. That same year, Shirley’s boyfriend was murdered, and Melvin was a suspect. Later, a teenage employee of Melvin’s disappeared right before he was to testify against Melvin in another arson case. A police officer who had clashed with the Reines was also shot (but survived), with Melvin again being a suspect. Melvin was later acquitted of rigging bids for his business. He was eventually committed to a mental hospital for threatening violence.

Melvin’s sons later claimed he and his brother shot the police officer. His brother admitted to driving while Melvin shot, and said Shirley was there too. But charges couldn’t be filed because too much time had passed. Melvin also became a suspect in the death of Shirley’s boyfriend, but couldn’t be charged due to his mental state. Melvin divorced Wanda and married Shirley. He left his business and property to Shirley in his will, causing a fight with his sons, who claimed he wasn’t mentally fit to make the will. Shirley was later murdered. A man was charged with her murder but later acquitted.

Wanda’s disappearance remains a mystery. Police don’t believe Melvin’s story, and they think he’s responsible for her death and possibly that of his employee. Searches for her body turned up nothing.