The case of Frankie Pullian, initially ruled an accident, reveals a complex web of deceit involving multiple life insurance policies and a staged hit-and-run. A second autopsy uncovered evidence of murder, leading to the conviction of several conspirators, including his employer.
In the industrial suburb of Paterson, New Jersey, a tragic case unfolded in 1980 that would take three long years to resolve. Initially ruled an accident by the medical examiner, the death of 29-year-old Frankie Pullian raised serious questions about the accuracy of the autopsy and the circumstances surrounding his demise.
Frankie Pullian was found dead on a deserted road beneath an abandoned car. The evidence suggested that he had been struck by a vehicle that subsequently fled the scene. Pullian, who worked as a handyman at a local funeral home and had a brief military background, was discovered at approximately 6:00 a.m. after police had passed the area just two hours earlier without seeing him or the vehicle.
The police investigation revealed that the hit-and-run vehicle had been stolen a month prior, and its owner, a retired policeman, had an alibi. Despite the medical examiner's conclusion that Pullian died from massive trauma due to the accident, investigators felt that certain elements of the scene appeared staged. Notably, there were no skid marks near the vehicle, and the positioning of Pullian's body raised suspicions.
To delve deeper into the case, investigators enlisted Walter Suhaka, an expert in accident reconstruction. His analysis of the scene revealed inconsistencies: the lack of front-end damage to the vehicle and the unusual position of Pullian's body suggested that the accident narrative might not hold. Furthermore, blood found inside the car contradicted the hit-and-run theory, prompting calls for a second autopsy.
After three years of legal battles, permission was granted to exhume Pullian's body for a second autopsy, conducted by Dr. Geetha Natarajan. This examination revealed significant findings: the absence of external injuries, no signs of being dragged by a vehicle, and four linear fractures on the back of the skull, indicating a blunt force trauma likely caused by a hammer-like object. These findings led Dr. Natarajan to change the cause of death from an accident to homicide.
As investigators continued to probe into Pullian's life, they discovered that he had taken out nine life insurance policies totaling nearly $1 million shortly before his death. The premiums were exorbitant, amounting to almost half of his annual salary. Alarmingly, many of the beneficiaries were connected to his employer, E. Lee White, who had insured Pullian heavily.
The investigation revealed that E. Lee White, along with two associates, stood to gain significantly from Pullian's death. The policies included an accidental death provision, which would yield an additional payout if Pullian died in an accident. Furthermore, discrepancies in the insurance applications suggested that someone had posed as Pullian during the physical examinations, raising further red flags.
Witnesses came forward, revealing that the stolen vehicle was seen parked outside White's funeral home the night before Pullian's death. The evidence pointed to a conspiracy involving White and his associates, who had orchestrated Pullian's murder for financial gain. They had lured him into a trap, struck him on the head, and then staged the scene to look like an accident.
E. Lee White, along with his co-conspirators, was charged with murder and insurance fraud. Despite their claims of innocence, the circumstantial evidence was overwhelming. The jury found them guilty of first-degree murder and insurance fraud, sentencing them to life in prison.
The case of Frankie Pullian serves as a chilling reminder of how greed can lead individuals to commit heinous acts. The forensic evidence, which initially seemed to support an accidental death, ultimately revealed a calculated murder-for-profit scheme. This case highlights the importance of thorough investigations and the role of forensic science in uncovering the truth behind suspicious deaths.
