Case Closed In Murder Of The Son Of America's Most Wanted Host

Filed under: Legal Matters > Sad Sad

walsh.jpg

After 27 years, police are going to officially close the case of abducted and murdered Adam Walsh, son of America's Most Wanted host John Walsh.

In 1981, Adam disappeared from a department store when his mother left him unattended to shop. Two weeks later, his severed head was found in a canal.

A sweeping manhunt was launched to find Adam's killer, but an arrest was never made. Two years later, a transient named Ottis Toole would confess to killing Adam, correctly identifying key elements of the investigation. But nothing was ever certain and Toole died in prison before further investigation could be conducted.

A niece of Toole's would later call into American's Most Wanted to say that he confessed to the murder on his deathbed.

Today, Tuesday, however, Hollywood Police Chief Chadwick E. Wagner will make a formal announcement at 2:30pm with John Walsh and wife Revé, pronouncing the case closed and Toole the murderer.

In 2001 Walsh himself said he believed Toole to be the murderer of his son, saying, "I believe Ottis Toole killed Adam. I believe that Toole is in hell right now, and I believe that he died a horrible death in prison."

Case closed.

Hopefully it will gave the Walsh family some peace.

[Image via WENN.]

    Posted: Dec 16, 2008 at 2:15 pm / Email this  »

    75 comments to “Case Closed In Murder Of The Son Of America's Most Wanted Host”



    1. 1

      rot in hell fucker!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



    2. 2

      who kills a little kid and cuts their head off???
      fucking sick!!



    3. 3

      I am glad they were given closure.



    4. 4

      that poor mom has to deal with the guilt of
      leaving him unattened for just a second.

    5. MP says – reply to this


      5

      This is such a sad story but because of it John Walsh has helped so many people. I hope he and his family can find some peace and continue their good work. I also hope Mr. Toole is burning in hell feeling the exact same pain he inflicted on little Adam.



    6. 6

      It's about time.. when my grandfather was murdered, it took them 15 years to solve it, and when the time came.. it was such a relief.



    7. 7

      Re: Ladyice75 – There is no such thing is closure fool.. it's just comforting knowing that the person is no longer out there doing it to other kids.



    8. 8

      I HOPE HE IS RAPED EVERYDAY IN PRISON BY A BIG GUY WITH A TWENTY INCH DICK



    9. 9

      he died in jail…good.



    10. 10

      That dude sounds like a liar and an attention seeker to me! What a stupid bitch for leaving her son to go shopping. She's the reason he's dead.



    11. 11

      Nightmare….R.I.P. Adam……



    12. 12

      soo sick.



    13. 13

      ugh! poor man!



    14. 14

      Re: THE BIGGEST BOSS OF THEM ALL

      Gay necrophilia?



    15. 15

      Not surprising, Ottis confessed to this and many other murders years ago. He was one sick twisted fuck.



    16. 16

      good, i'm glad there is closure!
      .

      did they ever find the rest of adam's body? i know they found his head.



    17. 17

      Wow this is deep.



    18. 18

      FUCKER! ROT IN HELL!



    19. 19

      Re: THE BIGGEST BOSS OF THEM ALL – OOOPS! I HAVE SHORT TERM MEMORY LOSS…..I APOLOGIZE BEFORE ALL YOU IDIOTS START YOUR BULLSHIT



    20. 20

      I'm glad they can finnaly get closure



    21. 21

      .



    22. 22

      Re: WONDER TWIN – the son was 10 years old, who hasnt let theire 10 year old run around while they shop? what happend to him is beyond horrific. You should get some help.



    23. 23

      .
      .
      IS LG THE ONLY ONE THAT THINKS THIS GUY IS A DOUCHE?
      .



    24. 24

      John Walsh is a perfect example of taking a personal tragedy and doing good with it. I remember my mom talking about this case. Poor baby, and poor mom and dad.



    25. 25

      Re: THE BIGGEST BOSS OF THEM ALL – lol cuz you know they would jump all over u…



    26. 26

      Why don't you blog about that cunt, Casey Anthony? There's a bitch that needs a bullet in the head.



    27. 27

      Rest In Peace Adam, little sweetheart… I hope this brings peace and closure to the family. If they somehow happen upon reading this, thank you to the Walsh family for everything they have done to help other victims, their families, and to deliver justice to those who deserve it. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.



    28. 28

      If this Toole idiot did it then we all know he is in hell paying for it. You do not take anyones life specially an innocent child. Adam died tragically and I am glad that even after 25+ yrs the family has an answer although no matter how much time passes by you can NEVER get over the TRAGIC loss of a child =( God Bless John Walsh for all he has done, and helping find justice for exploited and missing kids.



    29. 29

      Re: WONDER TWIN – This was 1981, douchbag. It was different then. It was typical to drop your child off in the toy section while you shopped. Idiot.

    30. EatMe says – reply to this


      30

      Re: WONDER TWIN – You are a fucking asshole.



    31. 31

      I always new that toole was the murderer. He gave some much detailed info in to the murder and then retracted his story but it was not coincidence he knew all of this. John walsh is a great man in helping others and I hope he can rest now knowing the case is closed and that ottis has passed. Rest in peace adam



    32. 32

      GREAT SHOW AND CLOSURE AT LAST !!!



    33. 33

      Re: WONDER TWIN – First off the mom went shopping with him and she didn't let him run around, she looked away for a minute and he dissapeared. This can happen to anyone, nobody is perfect. I hope something this tragic happens to you. Ottis toole and his friend were sick rapists and muderers. Hopefully god can forgive you for making light of the story



    34. 34

      I hope he rots in hell!



    35. 35

      Re: JuiCYb23 – I think wondertwin is disgusting for saying this as well, but does it help to wish something this evil upon ANYONE else, no matter how ignorant they sound? Lets just wish that wondertwin grows up and NEVER has to experience anything as tragic as this.



    36. 36

      .
      .
      LG WOULD LIKE TO CLARIFY POSTING #23!!!
      .
      .
      IT IS TRAGIC AND AWFUL WHAT HAPPENED TO WALSH'S SON!!!
      .
      BUT SEPARATE FROM THAT AND JOHN WALSH IS A DOUCHEBAG WHO
      WAS INVOLVED IN SHADY BUSINESS DEALINGS IN THE BAHAMAS PRIOR
      TO HIS SON'S DEATH–ALLEGEDLY–AND HE'S AN UNREPENTANT ADULTERER!!! WHY IS THIS TURD CONSIDERED A DEITY IN THIS COUNTRY WHEN HE'S A SHAMELESS SELF-PROMOTER??
      .
      .



    37. 37

      Re: jdiddy0505
      They do have closure, they know who did it. Yes I agree it is comforting to know this guy can't hurt kids anymore but look at all the other kids missing and no one knows what happened. There is closure.



    38. 38

      WHAT A NIGHTMARE!



    39. 39

      "…it will GAVE the Walsh family some peace?" You are an idiot, PIGEZ. It is offensive to have such badly worded insincerities on your sight, let alone that you are so LAZY to not check your spelling, syntax, etc. You are a jerk for even mentioning this on your site if you were going to be so trite about it. You are just using this story and Adam's death for your OWN publicity and that's unforgivable.



    40. 40

      Go to school - learn how to construct a sentence. You are so uneducated and don't even TRY to improve. How many years have you been making a living on a computer? Instead of flying your family to vacation elsewhere, take a week and learn some proper ENGLISH.



    41. 41

      Bet Santa Monica Community College would GIVE YOU a free English as a Second Language COURSE!



    42. 42

      Re: sheba08 – #34.
      .
      .
      KISSES YOU GOOD LOOKIN' DARLING!!!
      .



    43. 43

      Ottis Toole was crime partners with Henry Lee Lucus…a couple of sick fucks indeed. They liked to fuck dead people..travel around from state to state killing women. Both men died in prison.



    44. 44

      I really feel for John Walsh and his family. I hope this helps them heal.



    45. 45

      Re: Cecilie – You are an idiot..he was 6 years old.



    46. 46

      Re: Novel1

      It's not always Perez writing, but it still could be. His mom and his sister help out on the site as well. Regardless, it's just a mistake.

      It's very doubtful that he's using this story for publicity. His site is geared towards celebrity gossip. The more detailed, first-hand gossip he gets would be the more likely ones to help gain publicity. All the other stories (the economic statuses of business, odd headlines, etc) are just an accessory. I'm pretty sure this story alone isn't the one attracting all the hits this site gets.



    47. 47

      I love john I think that he is an amazing man. From this awful tragedy a lot of people have been help. I am glad that John finally has closure. God bless the whole family.



    48. 48

      that is terrible! did this happen while he was the host, or did the kidnapping happen before and that inspired him to become the host? random, but im curious



    49. 49

      i'll never forget when this story was national news. this story really affected me on many different levels as a child;
      and now, as a parent, all these years later, it still affects me.
      i never ever leave my child alone for even a second. there are just too many sick people these days.
      adam is a beautiful angel now!



    50. 50

      i also wanted to say that my heart goes out to adam's mother. you are always in my thoughts!



    51. 51

      I am so glad they finally found the evil person who did it, he is hopefully rotting in hell for the horrible things he did to Adam.

    52. Bambi says – reply to this


      52

      Fucking Tragic it gives me chills to think of how many other kids he did that to…. :( but from the tragedy many other were saved :(



    53. 53

      I love John Walsh, i hope Otis Tool is suffering extremely for an eternity for what he did to a sweet innocent precious little boy. At least, unlike that fucker tool, Adam Walsh is with Jesus in heaven and John and Reve' WILL see him again someday. Rot in hell Otis you mother f'er.



    54. 54

      Re: WONDER TWIN – WOW, AREN'T YOU A RAY OF SUNSHINE! HE WAS PLAYING VIDEO GAMES AND SHE THOUGHT HE WOULD BE SAFE IN THAT LOCATION. HOW MANY OF US PARENTS HAS THOUGHT, OH, JUST A FEW MINUTES. MOST OF US HAVE BEEN LUCKY, THE WALSH FAMILY, NOT SO MUCH!



    55. 55

      Re: jenny91 – This happened before AMW. John Walsh created the show to help put these creeps in jail. Thanks to John Walsh and those affiliated with AMW - make the world a better place.



    56. 56

      Re: sincerity – I DON'T BELIEVE THEY EVER DID FIND THE REST OF ADAMS BODY.



    57. 57

      Re: Cecilie – ADAM WAS 6YRS OLD



    58. 58

      LEONA'S GHOST- YES, HE HAD AN AFFAIR. HOW DO YOU KNOW HE IS NOT REPENTENT OF HIS ADULTRY. HIS WIFE HAS FORGIVEN HIM AND THEY ARE STILL TOGETHER. HE HAS STATED HOW SORRY HE IS FOR WHAT HE DID, WHO ARE YOU TO SAY THAT HE IS NOT REPENTENT, JUST REMEMBER, HE DOES NOT HAVE TO REPENT TO YOU.



    59. 59

      Re: QUINCYGIRL
      .
      .
      DARLING IT'S IMPERATIVE THAT YOU INCORPORATE THE SPELLCHECK
      FEATURE INTO YOUR INTERNET PRACTICES IMMEDIATELY SO AS
      NOT TO COME ACROSS AS BLATANTLY IGNORANT AND A DISGRACE
      TO THE EDUCATION SYSTEM!!!
      .
      .
      THANKING YOU IN ADVANCE!!!
      .
      .



    60. 60

      Re: QUINCYGIRL
      .
      .
      AND DEAR, GOING "ALL CAPS" IS SOMETHING THAT MUST BE EARNED AND
      YOU ARE FAR FROM ACHIEVING SUCH A MARVELOUS GOAL!!!
      .
      SO PLEASE USE YOUR LOWERCASE CHARACTERS, AT LEAST UNTIL YOU'VE
      FIGURED OUT HOW TO USE YOUR SPELLCHECK!!!
      .
      .
      THANKS AGAIN!!!
      .



    61. 61

      Re: WONDER TWIN – First of all, this was in 1981 in Hollywood Florida. Parents could do that back than. I am exactly the same age as Adam would be now and grew up about 10 minutes away from his family. It was huge news and defiantely changed how parents did things.



    62. 62

      Re: Sweetpiece says Deck the Halls! – nightmare and a half……….off the charts



    63. 63

      .
      .
      .
      JOHN WALSH, AS DOES BILL OREILLY, AKA BILLO THE CLOWN, LOOK
      LIKE THE TYPE OF MEN THAT WERE ON THE "MAYFLOWER MADAM'S" LIST!!!
      .
      .
      .



    64. 64

      .
      .
      DICKHEAD CHENEY ADMITTED TO A WAR CRIME!!!
      .



    65. 65

      finally !



    66. 66

      What you fail to mention is Ottis Toole was a rabid HOMOSEXUAL and he died of AIDS in prison! Ottis also liked to run with Henry Lee Lucas, another sweetheart.



    67. 67

      I"m really glad that John Walsh and his family knows without a shadow of a doubt who killed their son. May he go BEYOND burning in hell.

      I can't help but think about imagining if they did find him before it was too late or if his mother didn't turn her head for that quick second.
      A quick second. Think about that.
      That quick second helped many more children who could have been killed or the murderers that AMW caught would be free going ape crazy killing. There would not have been an America's Most Wanted. Adam, I believe is a spiritual hero. He's the reason AMW is a success now and the reason so many other children are fortunate to see the light of another day. He did not die in vain AT ALL no matter how gruesome his murder was.

      I'm glad for his family and I'm glad to have America's Most Wanted.
      RIP Adam



    68. 68

      I'm glad the family will finally have closure.



    69. 69

      Re: BarackHusseinOsama – I hate to break it to you, but he died of liver failure.



    70. 70

      Whoever murders and decapitates an innocent 6-year-old boy is a sick fucking bastard. I hope that Toole guy is rotting in hell. What haunts me is that Adam and I were the same age in 1981, meaning he would have been a 34-year-old man with possibly a wife and kids of his own by now. So sad.



    71. 71

      It's a shame that it took so long and with so many mistakes made in the investigation but at least now they have some sort of closure. I'm sure it hasn't been easy all these years, no mother or father should have to deal with that. Some good did come out of it regardless of what John Walsh did prior to AMW.



    72. 72

      It was 1981 and John and Reve Never had anyone other than friends and family stay with Adam who was 6 when all this happened. It was the days of pac man and kids played with them in the stores. Read the facts on the case and you will see exactly how this happened.

      He was a charming little boy who would sit at his desk in his father's office while we all worked in Bal Harbour.

      So long ago…



    73. 73

      Re: Novel1 – Hey novel:
      insincerities on your sight, let alone that you are so LAZY to not check your spelling, syntax, etc.

      Did you mean "on your SITE" as in website? Because you wrote "sight" which is clearly the wrong use of that word.
      Maybe check yourself before jumping all over others, asshole.



    74. 74

      I'm glad they finally got the closure they needed. It really sucks that the guy will never be brought to justice though, how could anyone do that to a little kid? I mean honestly.



    75. 75

      He decapitated him because the murdering bastard cooked and ate him. Otis Toole was an admitted cannibal who kidnapped and ate all sorts of kids and teens in south florida