It’s not every day that the subject of a true crime series appears on screen, let alone tells the story himself. But Gary Betzner was one of those brave enough to tell his own adventures in the HBO series Invisible Pilot 2022.
Continue reading this biography of Gary Betzner to learn more about him.
Meet Gary Betzner, the Subject of HBO’s Invisible Pilot
It was September 19, 1977 when Gary Betzner allegedly jumped off a bridge in Hazen, Arkansas and died in the White River. However, the report was not true. It seems this mastermind only faked his death to avoid going to jail.
So how did all this come about? Well, Gary used to be just your average crop duster pilot who toiled away for 15 long years. Of course, he later got tired of the difficult working conditions, so in 1976 he sold the company and moved to Alaska with his family.
At that time there were rumors that people were making a lot of money investing in oil pipelines. Then, without thinking, he offered a $500,000 down payment. Unfortunately, his money “didn’t pay the right people” and the contract went to another company.
Losing almost all of his savings, Gary took his family to Anchorage and began smuggling whiskey and marijuana. However, this did not generate enough income and forced them to return to Hazen to live in the house of his wife’s mother.
Not long after, Gary was diagnosed with gout, which he said cocaine was essential to cure. But on March 4, 1977, when he went to buy something, DEA agents raided the dealer’s house and sentenced him to 20 years in prison.
So here comes the tipping point. Gary then bailed out and devised a plan to fake his death and start his life over in another country. Because of this, Gary took hypnosis classes for weeks to hypnotize his wife into believing he was dead, he practiced throwing clothes off a bridge, and when his shoes fell into the water, the programming would kick in and Sally would become hysterical.
And somehow, the plan worked!
gary betzner today
Today, as of 2022, Gary Betzner lives in Arkansas with his third wife.
Although he has great remorse for his actions, he still hates the CIA for breaking their word.
In case you don’t know about his deal, Gary claimed that the CIA used him for their covert mission to arm anti-communists and counter-rebels in Nicaragua. He shared that Morales “made a deal with the CIA for supplies [the Contras]. He wanted me to hand over weapons and ammunition to the Contras and bring in some contraband.”
But when Gary believed that selling guns for drugs would keep him out of prison, he was arrested on November 13, 1984, and sentenced to 27 years and two months in federal prison for importing cocaine.
Gary Betzner Net Worth
At the height of his bootlegger days, Gary Betzner boasted a net worth of approximately $10 million. But since the FBI seized most of his assets, he today lives a modest life.
So Gary’s net worth as of 2022 will probably be less than a few hundred thousand dollars.
Before Gary’s life turned upside down, he had a career in the Navy. He also learned to fly during his training at the camp to inconspicuously transport precious cargo, which would later help him smuggle drugs.
Reportedly, Gary served in the Navy for five years after high school, receiving his pilot’s license in 1964.
Around 1970, Gary opened Betzner Flying Service with his second wife. That’s how he got into the crop spraying business.
Is Gary Betzner married?
Yes, Gary Betzner is married, not once, twice, but three times!
His first wife is Claudia, with whom he shares a daughter named Polly.
Gary then met his second wife, Sally, on July 20, 1969, during the moon landing party while he was still married to Claudia. Shortly after divorcing Claudia, Gary married Sally and together they had two children, Sara Lee and Travis.
The Invisible Pilot portrays his three children as victims of their father’s war against conventions, rules and responsibility. Although the series allows the children to process some of their pain and trauma, what was lost is gone forever.
“This is about Gary,” Sally says at one point.
As for Gary’s third wife, he chose to keep her anonymous.
Gary Betzner Age
Gary Betzner was 81 years old when he appeared on the series The Invisible Pilot in 2022.
His birthday has not been revealed.
Gary Betzner Parents
Gary Betzner doesn’t have good memories with his parents. All he remembers is that his father abused him and his mother abandoned him when he was a child.
Related FAQ
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Where does Gary Betzner live?
Gary lived in Arkansas as of 2022.
But originally, he’s from Akron, Ohio.
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Is Gary Betzner on Instagram and Facebook?
No, Gary wasn’t on Instagram or Facebook.
Categories: Biography
Source: newstars.edu.vn