Tobacco Heiress' Case Reopened After 50 Years
In 1966, a tragic accident involving billionaire heiress Doris Duke and her close friend Eduardo Tirella shocked the community of Newport, Rhode Island. Declared an accident by police at the time, the case faded from public memory. Now, nearly half a century later, new evidence has prompted authorities to reexamine the investigation, raising questions about whether or not Duke got away with murder.
Who Was Doris Duke?
Doris Duke was a prominent American heiress, philanthropist, and socialite known for her immense wealth and colorful life. As the only child of tobacco magnate James Buchanan Duke, Doris inherited a fortune that made her one of the richest women in the world. Her life, however, was marked by both glamour and controversy, making her a fascinating figure in American history.
Born on Nov. 22, 1912, Doris Duke grew up in an environment of privilege and opulence. Her father, James Buchanan Duke, founded the American Tobacco Company and played a significant role in the development of the Duke Power Company. When James Buchanan Duke died in 1925, 12-year-old Doris inherited an estimated $100 million, instantly becoming one of the wealthiest individuals in America.
Duke had a history of being extremely controlling and jealous. Approximately two and a half years before the incident with Eduardo Tirella occurred, she stabbed her common-law husband, Joseph Castro, with a butcher knife, leading him to sue her for assault. However, Doris had a powerful legal team and supporters who managed to clean up her messes. She even had him kidnapped in Hawaii, which ultimately led to him dropping the lawsuit. As a result, she likely believed she could escape any consequences.
The Incident at Rough Point
On Oct. 7, 1966, Eduardo Tirella, a designer and close confidant of Duke, was crushed under the wheels of Duke's station wagon outside her Newport estate, Rough Point. Tirella had just informed Duke he was leaving her employ to pursue opportunities in Hollywood. Moments later, he was dead. Duke told police that her foot slipped, and she accidentally hit the gas instead of the brakes. The local police opened and closed the case in less than four days, ruling the incident an accident.
New Evidence Emerges
In recent years, new evidence has surfaced, casting doubt on the initial accident ruling. Witness Bob Walker, who was a 13-year-old paperboy at the time, recently came forward with a detailed account of the events. According to Walker, he heard an argument, the roar of an engine, and the sound of a crash. He arrived at the scene to see Duke, uninjured, and acting suspiciously. Walker's testimony aligns with the findings of Sgt. Fred Newton, the lead accident investigator at the time, who believed Tirella was intentionally run over.
Questionable Investigation
The investigation conducted in 1966 has been criticized for its swift closure and apparent bias. Within days of the incident, Duke made substantial donations to local organizations, and key figures in the investigation were either promoted or retired shortly after. Police Chief Joseph A. Radice, who had connections to organized crime, oversaw the investigation, and quickly ruled the death an accident, raising suspicions of a cover-up.
Reopening the Case
The Newport Police Department has officially reopened the case, driven by Walker's testimony and new scrutiny of the original investigation. Detective Jacque Wuest, tasked with the review, has confirmed the credibility of Walker's account and is actively pursuing new leads. The case's reopening has reignited public interest and speculation about whether or not justice was truly served.
As the investigation progresses, the search for truth continues to captivate those familiar with the case. As new details emerge in this complex tale of wealth, power, and murder, the line between accidental and intentional remains blurred, keeping the public and authorities alike engrossed in a quest for answers.
References: Did Doris Duke kill her employee Eduardo Tirella? Newport police 'follow-up' on 1966 crash | The Doris Duke Cold Case Reopens: The Only Known Eyewitness Speaks for the First Time | Journalist takes new look at 1966 car crash death at Doris Duke's Rough Point
