March 13, 1977. Dunedin, Florida. The body of 54-year old Robert Dirscherl is found on the floor of his bedroom with a fatal gunshot wound to the chest. A shotgun is resting on the bed and since investigators believe that Robert used his big toe to pull the trigger and shoot himself, they rule his death to be a suicide. Sixteen years later, one of Robert’s sons receives an anonymous letter from someone who says they are dying and want to confess to Robert’s murder. Even though the Dirscherl family learns about a potential suspect who might be the writer, the authorities refuse to reclassify Robert’s death as a homicide. Did Robert Dirscherl actually take his own life or was he the victim of foul play? On this week’s episode of “The Trail Went Cold”, we explore one of the more bizarre deaths to ever be classified as a suicide.

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The Trail Went Cold is produced and edited by Magill Foote.

All music is composed by Vince Nitro.

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Episode description

The Trail Went Cold - Episode 305 - Robert Dirscherl

Episode description