LA Forensics: The Actor's Secret
Clever Con Artist
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Gerald Reeves came from a blue-collar family near Modesto, which is in Central California. His father left the family when he was young and his mother, destitute, couldn't keep Reeves out of trouble. The boy left home at 16 and started developing a rap sheet of burglaries and car theft that led to incarceration. After escaping from the youth camp, Reeves, then 20, made his way to Hollywood where he could continue his life of crime.
He was tall, slender and good looking. He was also charming, a smooth talker and persuasive — all traits that were perfect for scamming unwitting victims. Reeves hung out on the streets of Hollywood; melding in with either the gay or straight communities, depending on the opportunity.
Finch was good looking too: 5-feet 7-inches tall, 140 pounds, light skin and a full head of dark hair. He didn't have any problem picking up romantic prospects or helpers for his business. But he was far too trusting, a fatal flaw, given his lifestyle.
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Detective Kilcoyne found Reeves's mother through phone calls made in Finch's apartment. She was living in a rundown pay-by-the-day motel and had seen her son shortly after the murder. Reeves had arrived in Finch's car with a trunkload of sunglasses that were distributed to all his friends. He also wore a new pinky ring that turned out to be Finch's. Not one to stay out of trouble, Reeves used a gun to commit a home invasion robbery. Reeves then moved on and his mother didn't know where to find him.
