After sentencing, James Thomas Cole would fade from the news. However, we have since learned a few details of what happened in 1978 that prove to be even more bizarre than the supposed kidnapping in 1976.
It is unclear where James Thomas Cole worked in March of 1978 and I could find absolutely no newspaper articles about this incident so details are vague. According to Cole he was contacted by someone who claimed to have details about the 1976 kidnapping and possibly who was responsible. He had arranged to meet with this person. On March 13, 1978 Cole was said to have been seen at the place where he was to meet with the informant. (It doesn’t specify where the meeting point was). After being spotted at the pre-arranged location by co-workers, James Thomas Cole was never seen again.
It is uncertain if he was ever even reported missing this time. However, his truck was later found at the Boise Airport but Cole had vanished into thin air. Cole isn’t listed in any missing person databases so the circumstances around his 2nd disappearance are even more bizarre than the first short-lived disappearance. It is unknown what type of motive Cole would have to disappear on purpose as he left behind a wife and young son. However, his car being found at the airport makes his disappearance seem possible that it was planned by Cole. Another fact that might lead to his departure being planned was a $25,000 life insurance policy he had taken out on February 4, 1978 – shortly over a month before he disappeared.
Sacred Heart Church
Sacred Heart Church
Cole’s wife Sandra did try to collect on his life insurance policy soon after his disappearance. The insurance company refused stating there was no proof of death. Sandra continued to pay the premiums and in 7 years had him declared legally dead and was able to obtain the proceeds from the life insurance along with attorney fees. She remarried and moved to Washington to start a new life.
Okay now we’re going to talk about another mysterious case from Boise, Idaho. This was featured on “Unsolved Mysteries” in 1990. On December 4, 1982 an unknown man walked into the Sacred Heart Church in Boise, Idaho. He appeared to want to use the confessional but it was occupied. As preparations began for 6 pm mass that night parishioner Grace Leeburn was horrified to find a man laying under a pew. They soon realized the man was dead. Police were then called.
No one recognized the man who had died at the church. He was a younger man dressed in Western style attire with a belt buckle displaying a Mexican peso in the center. He also carried a worn wallet which had seemed to be normally full but at this time only carried $1900 in cash and a typewritten note. The note read:
In the event of my death, the enclosed currency should give more than adequate compensation for my funeral or disposal (prefer to be cremated) expenditures. What is left over, please take this as a contribution to this church. God will see to your honesty in this.
Headstone of "Wm L. Toomey"
Headstone of "Wm L. Toomey"
The note was signed “Wm L. Toomey”. No record of that person could be found and police believe it was a made up name. There was a company from Boston that manufactured ceremonial garb for priests with the same name. Another surprise came when the autopsy was completed for the mystery man. He did not die of natural causes but had taken his own life with a fatal dose of cyanide.