Case 303: Duncan MacPherson
Casefile True Crime
Deep Dive
Why did Duncan MacPherson's parents become concerned about his well-being?
Duncan failed to show up for his first day of work as the head coach for the Dundee Tigers ice hockey team in Scotland, and they hadn't heard from him in over a week.
What was Duncan MacPherson's background and career?
Duncan was a Canadian ice hockey player who became a prized defenseman for the Saskatoon Blades and was later drafted by the New York Islanders. After being cut from the team, he accepted a coaching job in Scotland.
How did Duncan MacPherson's parents initially respond to his disappearance?
They contacted the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and reported him missing, but the authorities did not treat the situation with urgency.
What did Duncan MacPherson's parents do when the authorities were not taking their concerns seriously?
They decided to fly to Europe and conduct their own search, distributing missing person posters and tracing Duncan's movements.
What was the significance of the Stubai Glacier in Duncan MacPherson's disappearance?
Duncan's car was found at the Stubai Glacier, and his body was eventually discovered there, leading to theories about his accidental death on the mountain.
What were the initial theories about Duncan MacPherson's disappearance?
Theories included him getting lost, having an accident, being abducted, or experiencing amnesia due to Lyme disease.
What evidence suggested that Duncan MacPherson might have been involved with the CIA?
Duncan mentioned to his family that a CIA recruiter had approached him, but he declined the offer due to the need to change his identity and leave his family behind.
What was the role of Walter Hinterhölzl in Duncan MacPherson's disappearance?
Walter was a snowboard instructor who gave Duncan a lesson and had lunch with him. He was the last person known to have seen Duncan before he disappeared.
What were the inconsistencies in the official account of Duncan MacPherson's death?
The official account suggested Duncan died in a crevasse, but his body showed signs of being run over by a snow grooming machine, and there were discrepancies in the recovery process.
What did Duncan MacPherson's parents ultimately believe happened to him?
They believed that Duncan's death was covered up by the Stubai Glacier staff to protect the tourism industry, and that the authorities were negligent in their investigation.
- Duncan was a prized defenseman for the Saskatoon Blades.
- He was drafted by the New York Islanders in 1984.
- Duncan accepted a coaching job with the Dundee Tigers in Scotland.
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