Richard Ohrn: Florida man’s elaborate fake death fail

RICHARD Oh rented a boat, smeared his blood all over the deck and left it at sea. He boarded an inflatable, crept 6 miles back to shore and started hiding.

At a marina not far from where the 44-year-old launched the 19-foot Sea Ray, Oh’s car was located.

When news broke, authorities launched a lengthy and expensive search that failed to tu up any new evidence. Oh’s family went to the media to beg for information.

“We’re in shock,” Oh’s mother Patricia said at the time. “I’m hoping they find him.”

“He’s a strong swimmer and a certified scuba diver,” Oh’s father, also named Richard, said.

That was on April 1, 2015, one day after fishermen discovered the Florida-based banker’s abandoned boat. Almost a year later Oh is facing federal charges including communicating false distress.

A STORY THAT SIMPLY DIDN’T ADD UP

Oh had reason to fake his own death. At least, he had enough reason to justify it to himself. His wife said he was being sued for $400,000 by a bank that once employed him.

Oh had done a fine job building a crime scene. The blood was his. Aboard the boat were his wallet, his mobile phone and his car keys. The boat was hired under his name and steered far enough out to sea that there would be no witnesses. But he didn’t cover all his tracks.

Florida newspaper the Sun Sentinel reported owners of a marine repair shop told investigators Oh had them repair a separate eight horsepower outboard motor “in case the fishing board motor failed”. An acquaintance said Oh also bought an inflatable boat before his disappearance.

Officials soon leaed Oh had purchased a second truck weeks before he went missing, one they guessed was used as a getaway vehicle upon retuing to dry land.

With information adding up and media reports painting a picture of an elaborate hoax, Oh simply walked back in the door of the home he shared with his wife Kathleen.

TURNING UP OUT OF THE BLUE

On April 12, 2015, Oh called police to tell them his story. According to police reports, he admitted to “planning and carrying out his disappearance to escape legal issues”.

He told them he stashed the inflatable boat and second motor beside a canal and collected them before boarding the Sea Ray. Then he drove out to the Atlantic Ocean where he hoped to start a new life.

On Thursday, Oh was officially charged. He remains behind bars ahead of a trial expected to begin in the coming months.

On top of the new charges, Oh is accused of stealing thousands of dollars from elderly clients while working as a financial adviser. The Palm Beach Post reported in April last year that Oh is accused of forging customer signatures between January 2010 and March 2011 when he worked for Chase Investment Services Corporation.

It’s still not clear whether Oh will be asked to repay search-related expenses totalling almost $400,000. Coast Guard Chief Ryan Goss said those costs may tu out to be modest when boats used in the search are factored in.

For their part, Oh’s parents say they’re just thankful their son is safe.

“Whatever his punishment is, hopefully he leas his lesson and becomes a better person,” Mrs Oh said on Monday.