LA Forensics: The Actor's Secret
Master of Disguise & Deception
The Los Angeles District Attorney's Office had enough evidence to file a murder charge and Kilcoyne sent a teletype across the nation, telling other jurisdictions about the fugitive. Knowing that Reeves could be anywhere, Kilcoyne asked FBI for help. A federal warrant was issued.
The local press had covered the case, but leads weren’t forthcoming. In an era before the proliferation of cable news networks, the best bet at national coverage on crime-related events was “America’s Most Wanted.” The show profiled Finch’s murder and hundreds of tips immediately came in about Reeves.
"His M.O. was basically befriend a person because he's homeless —'Oh, invite me home, can I hang out with you for a few days?'" said AMW producer Donna Brant. "He's bisexual, so he was having assignations with both men and women and then when they're in the shower or they're at work, he steals their car, their gun. One was a police officer.
"He stole her shield, her uniform and he steals the truck, goes up to the next town where he's already sort of figured out his next victim, camps in with them, same deal. He stays maybe a week with each person. But he was very charming."
Reeves used numerous aliases: Sean Howser, Christopher Sean Andrews, Brian Michaels, D.J. Michaels, Pirate Michaels. With the latter name, he sported an earring and long hair. Given that no intricate fingerprint database existed, Reeves could've used any name he wanted and he'd never be connected to any of his other crimes.
"We find that this man is a master of disguise and a master of deception," Kilcoyne said.
