RIP Did You Know ... Gone Too Soon!

Gary DeVore (1941–1997) was a Hollywood Screenwriter. After confirming that he was driving home to his wife, DeVore disappeared in June 1997. A year later his car, with his body inside, was discovered submerged in a California Aqueduct. The noted screenwriter suddenly disappeared, which generated considerable media coverage. DeVore remained been missing for a year until his "body" was discovered in the California Aqueduct. He disappeared on June 28th 1997 and his remains were recovered on July 28th 1998. Except for a Court TV special, there has been very little written or broadcast about Gary DeVore since his body was recovered. Until the body was found there was public speculation that he'd been murdered, abducted or even staged his disappearance. There were accusations that the CIA or other government agencies were very nervous about the content of DeVore's latest script.
His script set to go to film was very critical of US foreign policy. I think it was about the 1989 US invasion of Panama and the overthrow of its dictator, Manuel Noriega and Devore's script depicts a country ravaged by the US military where the US Army intelli­gence organizes the theft of Noriega's drug money. It was also his direct­orial debut. CIA officer Chase Brandon, Tommy Lee Jone's first cousin, who helped Devore with the project, was found on Devore's computer after his death. The computer was erased clean. Supposedly Brandon was the public face representing the CIA in Hollywood. According to Gary's publicist Michael Sands, Brandon is "the real Jack Bauer".

A $100,000 reward, offered by DeVore's wife, attracted a horde of tips and theories. These involved everyone from psychics to a Tibetan monk. "Gary is alive-held against his will-men in suits, government action. Quonset hut near regular bldg. Not on Edwards but where they would isolate special things. ie.-Rockets or missiles and high level secrets...So. America is somehow involved. Injections blur the mind..." Gary DeVore,  was a colorful character but apparently he had his share of internal demons including a hot temper, drugs, alcohol, and womanizing. He was married four times including to Nat King Cole's widow Maria Cole. He has been described as a "man's man" who liked guns, sports and horses.  According to his widow, Wendy Oates-DeVore, he had been in a writing slump but was reborn with the rewrite of the 1947 RKO The Big Steal film. This was the script he was working on at Marsha Mason's home in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He left Santa Fe on June 27th 1997 for the 16 hour drive to his residence in Santa Barbara. He never made it home.

DeVore's film credits included:
Passenger 57 1992
Traxx 1987
Running Scared 1986
Raw Deal 1986
Solo 1983
Heart of Steel 1983
Back Roads 1981
Dogs of War 1981

** I created this weekly tribute dedicated to the stars who for one reason or another did not receive the send off through the media that they deserved. Please join me every Tuesday as I continue to celebrate 'LIFE'. People will live on as long as we remember them. Thank you Gary DeVore for your contribution to this world and through your artistry, you will live on forever. kk **