Robert Dean Weeks Nevada’s First Convicted Murderer Without A Body

Robert Dean Weeks stands as one of the most chilling figures in American criminal history. Known by multiple aliases, including Robert Howard Smith and Charles F. Stolzenberg, Weeks was implicated in the disappearances of four individuals across two decades. From ex-wives to girlfriends and business associates, his alleged victims all vanished under suspicious circumstances, leaving investigators and families to grapple with a complex web of deceit, manipulation, and unanswered questions. Weeks’ story is one that lingers in the annals of criminal history, not only for the crimes he allegedly committed but for his unsettling ability to evade justice for so long.

A Pattern of Control and Possessiveness: Early Signs

Robert Dean Weeks’ life was marked by a pattern of control, manipulation, and possessiveness that emerged early on in his relationships. His ex-wife, Patricia Weeks, experienced firsthand the depths of his controlling nature. After their marriage ended in divorce, Patricia was awarded custody of their children, a decision that allegedly infuriated Robert. Friends and family noticed that his behavior turned more hostile following the separation, with some describing him as someone who had difficulty relinquishing control over those he considered “his.”

As recounted by multiple witnesses during later court proceedings, Robert’s abusive behavior toward Patricia included jealous rages, frequent verbal and physical assaults, and an unwillingness to let go. This pattern of possessiveness and a need to dominate extended into his relationships with other women as well, as later events would reveal.

The Disappearance of Patricia Weeks

In April 1968, just weeks after her divorce from Robert was finalized, Patricia Weeks vanished without a trace. She was last seen in Las Vegas, Nevada, where her car was discovered abandoned in a parking lot. Initially, Robert attempted to downplay her disappearance, telling others she had likely suffered a “nervous breakdown” or worse. However, close friends and family were immediately suspicious, given the contentious nature of their relationship and Robert’s history of abuse.

Robert’s reaction to Patricia’s disappearance was odd and unnerving. Instead of assisting with the search, he distanced himself, showing little interest in finding her. His failure to cooperate with authorities and his dismissive attitude only heightened suspicion. For years, Patricia’s family was left without answers, wondering whether her ex-husband had played a role in her vanishing.

The Disappearance of James Shaw

Just three years later, another associate of Robert’s, James Shaw, disappeared under similarly suspicious circumstances. Shaw, a business partner of Weeks, vanished in May 1971 following a heated argument between the two men. His bloodstained car was found abandoned, suggesting that foul play was likely involved. Friends of Shaw reported that he and Robert had clashed on multiple occasions, with Robert often exhibiting an aggressive and territorial attitude toward Shaw.

The timing and nature of Shaw’s disappearance, coming so soon after Patricia’s, raised red flags among those who knew Weeks. However, without any physical evidence directly linking him to the crime, authorities were left without enough to prosecute. Shaw’s case would eventually go cold, adding another unsolved disappearance to the growing list connected to Weeks.

Mary Frances Jabour’s Final Night

Fast forward to October 5, 1980, when Mary Frances Jabour, Weeks’ girlfriend of six years, also disappeared. Friends later reported that Jabour had planned to end her relationship with Weeks due to his increasingly jealous and possessive behavior. She was last seen in the lobby of his Las Vegas condominium around 10:30 p.m. that night, where they had arranged to have dinner together.

When friends could not reach Jabour in the days following, one concerned friend forced entry into her apartment, only to find no signs of Jabour or any missing belongings. Later, her car was found abandoned in the Caesar’s Palace Hotel parking lot, adding to the mystery. In response to questioning, Robert claimed that she had canceled their dinner plans and denied any knowledge of her whereabouts.

Suspicion mounted as authorities noticed striking parallels between the circumstances of Jabour’s disappearance and those of Patricia Weeks and James Shaw. Despite the similarities, Weeks eluded direct charges. Adding further to the mystery, Robert avoided a lie detector test scheduled by the police, claiming he had to leave town on business. He traveled to Tijuana, Mexico, and then Chile, not returning to the United States until three years later, this time with a Libyan passport.

The Disappearance of Carol Ann Riley

In April 1986, six years after Jabour’s disappearance, Robert began dating Carol Ann Riley, a nurse from San Diego. Like Jabour, Riley had planned to end her relationship with Weeks and marry someone else. She vanished on April 5, 1986, after a dinner date with him, eerily mirroring the circumstances of Jabour’s last night. When questioned, Robert once again claimed that his date had been canceled and that he had no idea where Riley was. Shortly after her disappearance, Robert left town, telling his roommate he was on a business trip, but he did not return.

With mounting suspicion, police sought to locate Robert and understand his role in these disappearances, but his use of false identities and aliases hindered their efforts. Despite the authorities’ growing certainty of his involvement, they lacked physical evidence to bring charges.

Arrest and a Historic Trial

Weeks’ disappearance with Riley sparked a manhunt, eventually landing his case on the television show Unsolved Mysteries. Viewers from across the nation offered tips, leading authorities to Tucson, Arizona, where Weeks was living under the name Charles F. Stolzenberg. In April 1987, he was apprehended and extradited to face charges.

During his trial, a disturbing portrait of Robert emerged. Witnesses and former partners testified to his controlling nature, his fits of jealousy, and his history of abuse. Two of his children even recounted incidents of him beating Patricia while they were still young, and friends recounted other incidents where he exhibited violent tendencies. Entries from his diaries revealed his resentment toward Jabour, with one entry reading, “You have humiliated me beyond belief. I will even the score.”

For the first time in Nevada’s history, prosecutors convicted Weeks of murder without physical evidence of a body. In April 1988, he was found guilty of the murders of Patricia Weeks and Mary Frances Jabour, receiving a life sentence without parole.

A Legacy of Unanswered Questions

Robert Weeks’ conviction brought a measure of closure to the families of his alleged victims, but many questions remain unanswered. Neither the bodies of Patricia, Jabour, Riley, nor Shaw have ever been found, leaving investigators to wonder about the full extent of his crimes. Weeks’ interest in mining led to speculation that he may have hidden his victims in remote mine shafts across the Nevada desert, permanently concealing their remains.

Robert died in prison in 1996, taking with him the answers to many unanswered questions. His case, however, stands as a significant moment in legal history, demonstrating that justice can still be pursued, even in cases where physical evidence is lacking. To this day, his story is a haunting reminder of the destructive potential of unchecked possessiveness and violence, as well as a tribute to the tireless efforts of those who seek justice for the lost.

The tale of Robert Dean Weeks lingers as a chilling testament to the dangers of manipulation and the consequences of power abused. His story and the stories of his alleged victims serve as a solemn reminder of lives lost and mysteries that may never be fully solved, leaving a legacy of caution and enduring mystery in the hearts of those left behind.