“Dead” Bookie Turns Up in Las Vegas – 30 Years Later

What possesses a guy to walk out on his wife and three young kids, pull a disappearing act and ‘play dead’ for over 30 years? When Arthur Gerald Jones turned up in Las Vegas, working as a bookie under a false name this week, the police were astounded to find that he had actually been declared officially dead, after his mysterious disappearance in the spring of 1979.

Digging deeper, the police found the tale of a man desperate to get away from the mob after landing himself in gambling debts which snowballed out of proportion. When Jones’ best friend, who also allegedly owed money to the mob, was murdered in his home, the bookie felt that he was next on the list. Enlisting the help of a friend, Jones paid $800 for false identity papers and then one day, he simply left home, said he was going to run an errand, and was never heard from again.

Although the FBI suspected a mafia connection to his disappearance, Jones was never found, and in 1986, an Illinois court declared him officially dead, allowing his wife to claim $47,000 in social security benefits for herself and their children.

After his disappearance, Jones travelled through California and Florida, before landing up in Vegas where he went back to work as a bookie. According to the 72 year old, he wanted to “make a fresh start” and never spoke to his family and friends about his disappearance – allowing them all to believe that he was dead. For the past decade, he has been using the name Joseph Richard Sandelli in Vegas.

Although he faces four felony counts, Jones may be able to reach a plea deal with the Nevada AG which will allow him to plead guilty to just one charge, and face probation.

A hearing has been set for next month.