Helen Brach Disappearance in Unionport Ohio

Helen Brach, heiress to the Brach candy fortune, vanished without a trace on February 17, 1977, in Rochester, Minnesota. Despite extensive investigations over the years, the details of her disappearance remain shrouded in mystery. Brach, a prominent philanthropist and wealthy widow, was last seen leaving the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. This article explores her life, the events leading up to her disappearance, and the ongoing search for answers in one of the most baffling cold cases in American history.

Who Was Helen Brach?

Born Helen Voorhees in 1911 in Unionport, Ohio, Brach grew up in modest circumstances before marrying Frank Brach, the owner of the Brach’s Candy Company. Her marriage transformed her into a wealthy socialite. After her husband’s death in 1970, she inherited a fortune estimated at over $100 million.

Helen Brach was known for her generosity, particularly in the field of animal welfare. She supported various animal rights organizations, hospitals, and other charities. Despite her wealth and status, Brach maintained a low profile and was described by friends as friendly, kind, and deeply committed to her philanthropic causes.

Events Leading Up to February 17, 1977

In the days before her disappearance, Helen Brach traveled to Rochester, Minnesota, for a routine medical check-up at the Mayo Clinic. She was reportedly in good spirits and had been planning a trip to Florida. Her visit to the clinic was not unusual, as she had undergone regular medical evaluations there for years.

On February 17, 1977, Brach called her housekeeper from the Mayo Clinic, indicating that she planned to return home to Glenview, Illinois, after completing her check-up. This phone call was the last time anyone heard from her.

Helen Brach’s Last Known Activities in Rochester, Minnesota

Brach’s movements on February 17 were well-documented up until she left the Mayo Clinic. Witnesses at the clinic reported that she seemed upbeat and in good health. She was last seen exiting the facility alone, with plans to travel back to Chicago that same day. However, Brach never boarded a flight, and her whereabouts after leaving the clinic are unknown.

Despite the presence of potential witnesses and security footage at the clinic, investigators found no evidence of Brach’s movements beyond the clinic exit. Her sudden disappearance raised immediate concerns among friends, family, and law enforcement.

The Mayo Clinic Visit: The Last Confirmed Sighting

The Mayo Clinic visit was significant as it marked the last confirmed sighting of Helen Brach. Her medical evaluation went as expected, with no indication that Brach was in distress or facing any immediate health issues. Her departure from the clinic was described as routine, and there were no signs that she was meeting anyone or planning any unusual detours.

The absence of physical evidence at the clinic and conflicting witness statements complicated the early stages of the investigation. Authorities focused on her planned itinerary to determine if she had any unexpected stops or meetings that could provide clues to her disappearance.

Helen Brach’s Personal Life and Connections

Helen Brach’s personal life was marked by a mix of high-society connections, philanthropy, and some controversial relationships. Following her husband’s death, Brach remained active in social circles but was also known for her strong interest in animal welfare causes. She maintained friendships with a variety of individuals, including those in the horse racing and breeding industry.

One of Brach’s most well-known connections was Richard Bailey, a Chicago-based horse dealer who sold thoroughbred horses to her. Their relationship became central to the investigation, as it was later revealed that Brach had been defrauded in horse-related investments.

Brach’s Wealth and Its Possible Role in Her Disappearance

Brach’s considerable wealth made her a potential target for financial schemes and exploitation. Her investments in the horse industry, which were facilitated by Richard Bailey and others, turned out to be fraudulent, resulting in significant financial losses for Brach. She reportedly became aware of the fraud shortly before her disappearance and was planning to pursue legal action.

Some investigators believe that Brach’s intent to expose the fraudulent activities and recover her lost investments could have motivated individuals to harm her. Her disappearance, therefore, may have been an attempt to silence her before she could take legal action.

Initial Investigation and Search Efforts

The initial investigation into Helen Brach’s disappearance was launched by the Rochester Police Department and quickly involved the FBI, given her wealth and prominence. Search efforts included extensive canvassing of the Mayo Clinic area, interviews with witnesses, and an examination of her personal and financial records.

Despite these efforts, the investigation stalled due to a lack of physical evidence and credible leads. Brach’s car was found at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago, but investigators were unable to confirm whether she had driven it there herself or whether it had been staged to mislead authorities.

Key Witnesses and Early Leads

Numerous witnesses were interviewed in the days following Brach’s disappearance, including her housekeeper, business associates, and medical staff at the Mayo Clinic. Most witnesses reported that Brach appeared to be in a normal state of mind, with no indication of fear or distress.

One of the most intriguing early leads involved the reported sighting of Brach at a nearby hotel in Rochester on the evening of February 17, but this claim was never substantiated. Another lead suggested that she may have met someone after leaving the clinic, but there was no evidence to confirm this theory.

Who Is Richard Bailey?

Richard Bailey was a well-known figure in the Chicago-area horse community, but his reputation was less than stellar. He was a conman and swindler who had been involved in various scams, especially within the horse industry. Bailey specialized in selling overvalued and often unsuitable horses to wealthy clients, particularly targeting older women like Helen Brach.

Bailey’s modus operandi was simple but effective. He would find inexperienced buyers, sell them subpar horses at inflated prices, and sometimes engage in fraudulent insurance schemes. He was part of a larger network involved in “horse fraud,” where horses were often injured or killed to collect insurance money. Bailey’s charm and knowledge of the horse business made him successful, but his fraudulent dealings soon caught the attention of law enforcement.

Richard Bailey’s Connection to Helen Brach

Bailey first met Helen Brach in 1973, several years before her disappearance. Bailey quickly began courting Helen, hoping to benefit from her wealth. He introduced her to the high-stakes world of horse trading, persuading her to invest large sums of money in racehorses that were often worthless or injured. Brach eventually discovered that she had been swindled out of hundreds of thousands of dollars and was planning to confront Bailey and his associates about the fraud.

In the months leading up to her disappearance, Helen reportedly expressed anger and frustration about the horse purchases. She had even told friends and her attorney that she planned to take legal action against those who had deceived her, naming Richard Bailey as a central figure in the scheme. This potential legal threat is widely believed to have been a key motive behind her disappearance.

The Role of Bailey in Brach’s Disappearance

While no physical evidence has directly tied Bailey to Helen Brach’s disappearance, he is widely considered to be a prime suspect. The following elements suggest Bailey’s involvement:

Motive: Financial Interests and a Threatened Scheme

Helen Brach’s plan to expose Bailey’s horse fraud posed a serious threat to his operations. Her wealth and influence could have caused severe legal consequences for Bailey and others involved in the horse-related schemes. Investigators believe this provided Bailey with a strong motive to silence Brach permanently.

Confessions and Testimonies

Bailey was implicated by multiple witnesses and associates who claimed he had discussed plans to “get rid of” Helen Brach. In particular, investigators received tips suggesting that Bailey had hired hitmen to eliminate Brach before she could take legal action against him. However, these confessions were often inconsistent, and many witnesses were unreliable or had questionable motives themselves, making it difficult to build a solid case against Bailey.

The Failed Polygraph and Other Evidence

Bailey’s actions during the investigation also raised suspicions. He failed a polygraph test related to Brach’s disappearance, though polygraph results are not considered admissible evidence in court. Despite Bailey’s repeated denials of any involvement in Brach’s disappearance, circumstantial evidence suggested otherwise. Investigators discovered that Bailey continued to pursue wealthy women in the horse industry, using similar tactics to the ones he used on Brach, reinforcing the idea that her disappearance was tied to his fraudulent dealings.

Bailey’s Conviction for Fraud

In 1994, after years of investigation, Richard Bailey was arrested and charged with multiple counts of fraud related to the horse trading schemes. While he was never formally charged with Helen Brach’s murder, prosecutors did manage to link his fraudulent activities to Brach’s case during the trial. In an attempt to secure a lighter sentence, Bailey made a plea deal, admitting to swindling Helen Brach out of substantial sums of money but denying any involvement in her disappearance or death.

Bailey was ultimately sentenced to 30 years in prison for racketeering, fraud, and conspiracy. The federal judge who sentenced Bailey described him as a “heinous conman” and stated that Bailey had indeed conspired to kill Helen Brach, even though he wasn’t formally convicted of murder. This statement marked one of the strongest judicial affirmations of Bailey’s involvement in Brach’s disappearance, even without a direct murder charge.

The Role of Jack Matlick

Jack Matlick was a key figure in the investigation into the disappearance of Helen Brach, the wealthy candy heiress who vanished on February 17, 1977. Matlick was Helen Brach’s personal assistant, chauffeur, and handyman, serving as one of her closest confidants in the years leading up to her disappearance.

Role in Helen Brach’s Life

Matlick began working for Helen Brach in the early 1970s after the death of her husband, Frank Brach. He was responsible for maintaining Brach’s Glenview, Illinois estate and often accompanied her during personal errands. Matlick was considered a trusted employee, frequently managing aspects of her day-to-day life, including financial matters and household arrangements.

Involvement in Brach’s Disappearance

Following Brach’s last known sighting at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, Matlick became central to the investigation for several reasons:

• Last Contact: Matlick claimed to have seen Brach after she returned from her trip to the Mayo Clinic. He stated that she arrived home in Glenview on February 17, 1977, and that he was the last person to have seen her alive.
• Delayed Reporting: Despite Helen Brach’s sudden disappearance, Matlick did not report her missing for several days. He attributed this delay to his belief that she had simply extended her trip to Florida, where she had planned to go after her medical appointment.
• Suspicious Behavior: Matlick’s actions in the days following Brach’s disappearance drew significant scrutiny. He reportedly conducted extensive cleaning of Brach’s home and disposed of many of her personal belongings. Additionally, there were reports that Matlick had signed checks from Brach’s account after she was last seen.

Investigation and Allegations

Over the years, Matlick has been heavily investigated, but he has never been formally charged in connection with Brach’s disappearance. While investigators have long considered him a person of interest, a lack of concrete evidence has prevented further legal action against him. Matlick maintained his innocence and claimed to have no knowledge of Brach’s fate, insisting that she left her estate of her own accord.

Death and Legacy

Jack Matlick passed away in 2011, taking many of the potential answers about Helen Brach’s disappearance with him. His involvement in the case remains one of the many unresolved aspects of this infamous cold case, and he is frequently cited in discussions about what may have happened to Helen Brach.

Major Theories Surrounding Brach’s Disappearance

Several theories have emerged regarding what might have happened to Helen Brach:

• Murder for Financial Gain: The most widely accepted theory is that Brach was murdered to prevent her from exposing the fraud in the horse industry.
• Abduction: Some believe Brach may have been abducted by individuals involved in organized crime connected to the horse industry.
• Voluntary Disappearance: A less plausible theory is that Brach chose to disappear to escape financial or personal pressures, though this is inconsistent with her commitment to her charities and social obligations.
• Mistaken Departure: There is also speculation that Brach may have encountered foul play during an unexpected detour or meeting after leaving the Mayo Clinic.

The Horse Industry Connection: Possible Motives

The horse industry played a major role in Helen Brach’s disappearance. The fraudulent practices in the industry, particularly in the sale of overvalued thoroughbreds, had become increasingly common during the 1970s. Brach was one of many victims of this scheme, but her wealth and determination to expose the fraud may have made her a unique target for retaliation.

Investigators have long suspected that figures within the horse industry may have had motives to silence Brach, especially given her plans to pursue legal action.

Legal Battles and the Search for Justice

Legal efforts to bring justice in the Brach case have primarily focused on prosecuting those involved in defrauding her. Richard Bailey’s conviction in 1994 marked a significant step in acknowledging the fraudulent schemes that targeted Brach, but it did not resolve her disappearance.

Various civil lawsuits related to Brach’s estate and investments have been filed over the years, but none have provided clear answers about what happened to her.

Public and Media Reactions to the Case

Helen Brach’s disappearance has remained a subject of public fascination and media coverage for decades. The combination of her wealth, her philanthropy, and the mystery of her disappearance has made it one of the most high-profile cold cases in the United States.

Books, documentaries, and news specials have explored Brach’s life and disappearance, keeping the case in the public eye and maintaining interest in finding answers.

Unresolved Questions and Lingering Mysteries

Despite extensive investigations, many questions about Helen Brach’s disappearance remain unanswered. Did she meet someone after leaving the Mayo Clinic? Was her car really driven to O’Hare by her, or was it part of an elaborate ruse? Who had the most to gain from her vanishing? These unresolved questions have fueled numerous theories and continued speculation about what truly happened on that February day in 1977.

The Legacy of Helen Brach and Ongoing Efforts to Solve the Case

Helen Brach’s legacy is defined by her philanthropy and the enduring mystery of her disappearance. Efforts to solve the case continue, driven by law enforcement, private investigators, and those who wish to see justice for Brach. Her story remains a poignant reminder of how even the wealthy and powerful can fall victim to dark schemes.