John Patrick Addis was a state trooper, crime scene investigator, bush pilot, ex-convict, UFO fanatic, survivalist-and a pro at manipulating women. His criminal madness stretched from Alaska to Mexico-leaving countless victims in his wake.

Sgt. Jim McCann and John Addis worked together as detectives for the Alaska State Police in the 1970s, and at the time, he was married to his first wife, who later divorced him because of domestic abuse. The couple lived in a cabin in the remote woods that didn't have running water or heat. Addis enjoyed hunting caribous in the Alaskan wilderness, but he was also a talented young detective with a mind for forensic science, and he was so gifted that he instructed law enforcement from all over Alaska in crime scene analysis. Then one day, Addis got into an argument with his wife, and she said she wanted to leave him, so she jumped out of their car. He soon began chasing her, but she was able to escape and soon was granted a divorce. After the divorce, Addis quickly re-married and his personality turned from bad to worse. He abandoned his wilderness lifestyle and became a middle class homemaker, and soon quit his job at the state patrol. Then, he abducted his four children from his first marriage and fled to Michigan, where he was involved in several robberies. He was eventually arrested and served one year in prison for parental child abduction. Over the next decade, he jumped parole in Alaska and went throughout the United States posing as a fitness instructor, screen writer, and novelist. He was a master at changing his identity, which helped him keep above the law.

I speak to Glenn Puit. The author of 'Ghost: The True Story of One Man's Descent into Madness and Murder.'  He is an investigative journalist and was a lead reporter for the Las Vegas Review-Journal for twelve years, where he covered violent crime and capital murder trials.

Subscribe to iTF in iTunes and Stitcher, plus PlayerFM, JabberCasts, and Overcast.FM  Please leave us a review in iTunes if you have a moment!

Follow iTF:

Facebook: interactive group page and official radio page   

Twitter: Official iTF and Shannon's personal account

Find my co-hosts on their pages: Mister-Sam Shearon and Ryan Sprague

iNTO THE FRAY has a number to call! Leave us a message with guest and topic suggestions, feedback, or even your own personal story if you'd like!  We would love to hear from you.

Call anytime:  702-997-2007