Ep 4. AKA Rockefeller

AKA Rockefeller is the fourth episode of the 27th season of 48 Hours Mystery. The episode features the highly publicized case of Christian Karl Gerhartsreiter, a man who rose to infamy through his many lies and manipulations, which included impersonating a member of the wealthy Rockefeller family.

The episode chronicles the life and crimes of Gerhartsreiter, who was born in Germany and came to the United States in the late 1970s. He used multiple aliases, including Clark Rockefeller, and claimed to be a member of the prominent Rockefeller family. He ingratiated himself into high society and went to great lengths to maintain the fiction, even forging documents and creating elaborate backstories to support his claims.

In 1985, Gerhartsreiter was a suspect in the disappearance of John Sohus, a young man who lived with his wife Linda in a guesthouse on a property belonging to the wealthy family for whom Gerhartsreiter had been working as a live-in tutor. Linda disappeared several weeks after her husband, and both were presumed dead. Gerhartsreiter was questioned by police but fled the state before he could be arrested.

In 2011, Gerhartsreiter was finally apprehended after a decades-long search. He was charged with the murder of John Sohus and extradited to California to stand trial. The AKA Rockefeller episode covers the entire case, from Gerhartsreiter's early days in the United States to his eventual capture and conviction.

Throughout the episode, 48 Hours Mystery interviews investigators, lawyers, and witnesses who provide insight into Gerhartsreiter's enigmatic personality and the lengths he went to maintain his falsehoods. Interviews with members of the Rockefeller family, who were shocked to learn that they had been deceived by Gerhartsreiter for years, add to the intrigue of the case.

The episode delves into the intricacies of the Sohus murder case, including the discovery of bones on the property where they had lived. Prosecutors argue that Gerhartsreiter murdered John Sohus to cover up his lies and protect his fabricated identity. They present evidence that includes documents and fingerprints that link Gerhartsreiter to the crime.

During the trial, Gerhartsreiter's defense team argues that he had nothing to do with the murder and that the bones that were found on the property could have belonged to anyone. They also claim that Gerhartsreiter's imagined life as a member of the Rockefeller family was not evidence of a motive to commit murder.

Despite the defense's arguments, Gerhartsreiter is ultimately convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. The episode concludes with interviews with those who were involved in the case, reflecting on the bizarre and troubling nature of Gerhartsreiter's crimes.

AKA Rockefeller is a fascinating and in-depth exploration of one of the most intriguing cases of impersonation and deception in recent history. Viewers who are interested in true crime and the psychology of people who engage in elaborate falsehoods will find this episode especially engaging.