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The 5 Most Intriguing Unsold Mysteries in Casino History

With the rapid rise of online gambling in Canada While the excitement of betting has also transitioned to online platforms, the unique charm and enigma of traditional casinos continue to hold a special appeal. Given that these locations generate unimaginable wealth, it’s not surprising that criminal activities are frequently reported around them. Over the years, these venues have been the backdrop for numerous unsolved murders, disappearances, and thefts. We've compiled the five most captivating casino mysteries that remain unresolved.

5 Chilling Casino Mysteries That Are Yet to Be Solved

Step into the shadowy world of the gambling sector.

The Terri McClure Murder

The Terri McClure MurderOn the 14th of January, 1983, Terri McClure left her Reno residence to attend her son’s wedding in Lake Tahoe. Following the wedding, Terri gambled at a nearby casino before driving back to Reno. When her son, Tim, visited the next day, he found that his mother hadn’t come home the previous night.

Just two days after, authorities discovered Terri lifeless in her vehicle parked in Carson City. She had suffered two gunshot wounds. The initial investigations led to Tim being identified as the prime suspect due to inconsistencies in his narrative. Additionally, he stood to gain as the sole beneficiary of his mother’s $10,000 life insurance policy.

Tim asserted that after escorting Terri to her car on their wedding night, he spent two hours gambling alone. However, his alibi was called into question. A lie detector test conducted on both him and his wife indicated that they were not truthful. Intriguingly, Tim had contacted Terri’s credit card provider to cancel one of her cards before her disappearance.

Tim insisted that he only canceled the cards after she went missing, yet an employee recorded the wrong date. Despite being charged with murder in September 1992, the Nevada District Attorney chose not to prosecute him due to insufficient evidence. The case was closed with prejudice, preventing Tim from facing trial for the same offense again, leaving it an enduring mystery.

Trevor Angell’s Disappearance

Trevor Angell’s DisappearanceTrevor Angell, a resident of Calgary, Alberta, worked as a trucker transporting goods between the US and Canada in 2000. On the 19th of September, Angell dropped off a consignment in Los Angeles and picked up another load for transporting to Canada.

During this journey, Angell reached out to his spouse to express his exhaustion and mentioned a desire to quit gambling. The last conversation he had was on September 22 with an adjuster. After that, he vanished without a trace, last seen in the parking lot of Whiskey Pete's Hotel.

Angell was an avid gambler, often stopping at Whiskey Pete's for a game. When found, his truck was still parked, filled with gasoline, and the cargo was untouched. However, his wallet was empty. In the following days, someone used Angell's ATM card to drain his bank account, raising questions about whether he had made the withdrawals.

Interestingly, just hours after the last ATM transaction, a waitress at the casino stated she had served Angell some oatmeal. Eyewitnesses also reported seeing him leaving in a distressed and confused state. By 2001, investigators determined that Angell may have orchestrated his own disappearance, though he was never located.

The Horizon Casino Heist

In the early morning of November 9, 2003, a masked robber confronted a slot machine attendant outside Horizon Casino in Mississippi during their break. The thief brandished a weapon and threatened the employee.

The armed robber made his way to the cash cage, coercing employees to hand over $60,000 cash while falsely claiming there were explosives placed in the building. He fled with the money.

The establishment was immediately evacuated, and after an extensive search, the authorities found a shoebox wrapped in duct tape, which turned out to be a fake bomb. Strikingly, an anonymous caller had warned the nearby Rainbow Casino about a bomb threat just hours beforehand. Investigators believe the robber had planned this distraction. Despite the passage of time, the case remains unsolved.

The Disappearance of Agnes le Roux

The Disappearance of Agnes le RouxAgnes le Roux was the inheritrix of Palais de la Mediterranee, a casino hotel in Nice, France. Her mother operated the casino and refused to let her daughter have her inheritance.

With the assistance of lawyer Jean-Maurice Agnelet, Le Roux sold her shares to a competitor for three million francs, which was then transferred to a joint account with Agnelet. On the night of October 30, 1977, the heiress mysteriously vanished after being seen leaving Nice.

Agnelet was involved with another woman, and after the sale, money was quickly moved to their joint account. Although she initially provided an alibi for Agnelet concerning Le Roux's disappearance, she later recanted her statement. Agnelet was charged with her murder.

He was acquitted in 2006, but this verdict was later reversed on appeal. He initially faced a 20-year prison sentence which the European Court of Human Rights refused to enforce. Agnelet retired in 2014.

The mystery endures, fueled by claims from an ex-mobster suggesting Le Roux's disappearance was linked to organized crime. Regardless of the truth, Le Roux's remains have never been found.

The Murder of Gail Anne Thompson

The Murder of Gail Anne ThompsonIn May 1996, Gail Anne Thompson and her husband Bobby planned to spend the weekend gambling in Cactus Pete’s Resort Casino, Nevada. Another couple accompanied them.

After a night of gambling, Bobby and his wife went to separate hotel rooms, but by morning, he discovered Gail was missing. They checked other casinos before reporting her disappearance to the authorities.

On May 6, law enforcement found Gail’s body in a ditch, showing signs of severe blunt force trauma and a slit throat. Remarkably, none of her belongings were stolen. Investigators noted Bobby’s surprisingly composed demeanor during the search, while other couples implied there was tension between him and Gail.

Ultimately, Bobby wasn’t arrested due to insufficient evidence, and shockingly, he wed for a fifth time just three months after Gail’s death. He passed away in 2000, taking the mysteries of the unresolved murder with him.

Summary

The complex and shadowy world of casino crime has inspired countless narratives, both in the gaming sector and real life. Some of these unresolved cases—from chilling disappearances to daring thefts—have even ignited the creativity of game developers. Their immersive games embody the suspense and excitement of these enigmas, allowing players around the globe to experience that thrill. If you’re eager to explore some top-tier casino games, don’t miss our online casino reviews for safe and thrilling gaming experiences.

Conrad Brennan
Former Author
University of Toronto
BA of Business and Marketing
Expert in:
  • Games reviews
  • Slot reviews
Fact checked by Chief Editor:
Gerda Grinova

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