Love, Lies & Lethal Paranoia: The Tragic Fall of Private Investigator Rick Post
Richard “Rick” Post was defined by service, integrity, and dedication to his work and family. But in 1998, his life came to a shocking and tragic end. A private investigator with a military background, Rick fell into a deadly trap set by someone he once helped—Kimberly Bailey.
What began as a business relationship quickly turned romantic, and then sinister. This article takes you through Rick Post’s inspiring life, his fateful connection to Bailey, and the horrifying events that led to his murder. It’s a story of love gone wrong, manipulation, and betrayal with deadly consequences.
Rick Post: A Man of Intelligence and Duty
Rick Post was born in 1945 in Los Angeles County, California, and raised in San Diego. As a young man, he joined the U.S. Army and served with distinction in the Vietnam War. He stood out early for his sharp mind, scoring the highest on an IQ test on the western seaboard.
This led to his recruitment into Army Intelligence, where he learned valuable investigative skills that shaped his future. After his military service, Rick returned home and used his talents to open his firm, Intellisource Security and Investigative Services, Inc., in San Diego.
He specialized in everything from background checks and surveillance to solving murder cases. Friends and clients respected Rick for being thorough, brave, and dedicated. At home, he was a loving father to four children. His life was marked by discipline and a strong moral compass.
Kimberly Bailey: Wealth, Paranoia, and Power
In 1997, Kimberly Bailey walked into Rick’s life. She was a multimillionaire who owned a sprawling 33-acre farm outside San Diego. Her property wasn’t just farmland but a hub for holistic healing and alternative medicine.
Kimberly ran a company that sold electronic medical devices, which she claimed could heal various ailments through electric currents. She had a loyal following, money to spend, and deep-rooted fears that people were stealing from her.
Kimberly initially hired Rick to investigate possible theft at her business. What began as a professional partnership quickly turned personal. Rick and Kimberly started a romantic relationship. But things changed when Rick decided to end it. He believed it was unethical to mix business with personal affairs. For Kimberly, however, the rejection felt like betrayal.
The Day Rick Disappeared
On August 21, 1998, Rick’s 16-year-old son received a call. Rick hadn’t shown up to work. His car was still in the driveway, and his keys had been left in the mailbox. Later, a voicemail arrived: Rick said he was fine and in Mexico. But the message was off. It didn’t sound like the calm, collected man his family knew.
And Rick would never vanish without talking to his children. Rick’s family knew something was wrong. As they dug deeper, they learned that Kimberly Bailey had been acting erratically. She had become obsessed with the idea that Rick betrayed her, personally and professionally. Her paranoia had reached dangerous heights.
The Chilling Murder Plot
Behind the scenes, Kimberly was already plotting something unthinkable. She had been fed lies by a young investigator named John Krueger, who once worked for Rick. John told Kimberly that Rick had stolen from her and was being unfaithful. These lies fueled Kimberly’s paranoia and anger.
Kimberly paid $40,000 to a man named Humberto Iribe, asking him to find Rick, kidnap him, and make him confess. Rick was lured to Tijuana, Mexico, under the pretense of a job. Once there, he was taken against his will, tied up, and tortured for five days.
As Kimberly waited for information, she grew impatient. Eventually, she agreed to pay an additional $10,000 for Rick to be killed. He was murdered and buried in a remote area. His body was never found.
Hidden Allies and Secret Recordings
The case might have gone cold if not for a surprising twist. Kimberly had a close associate named Svetlana Ogorodnikova. Unknown to her, Svetlana began working with the FBI. She wore a wire during meetings with Kimberly and recorded hours of conversations.
Kimberly admitted to orchestrating the murder. She spoke coldly and openly about Rick’s death and even discussed plans to eliminate others she considered threats. These recordings would later become key evidence in the case.
Justice in the Courtroom
By 2002, Kimberly Bailey was arrested and charged with kidnapping, conspiracy, and using money to carry out a murder-for-hire plot. She was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison. Kimberly died in custody in 2008 after battling cancer.
John Krueger, whose lies helped advance the plan, pleaded guilty to conspiracy. He testified against Kimberly and received a 12-year sentence with five years of supervised release.
Humberto Iribe, the man who carried out the physical torture and killing, was sentenced to 25 years. Though Rick’s body was never found, justice was delivered through the courtroom and the courage of witnesses who chose to speak up.
A Family’s Grief and a Lasting Legacy
Rick Post’s family never got to bury him. They never received the comfort of knowing exactly what happened to their father and son in his final moments. But they did receive the truth. The investigation revealed the web of lies, manipulation, and violence that led to his death.
Rick’s children spoke of a man who taught them strength and integrity. Friends remembered a person who always fought for what was right. The story of Rick Post became more than just a crime tale—it became a warning about the dangers of misplaced trust and unchecked obsession.
Final Words
The life and death of Rick Post remind us that danger can come from the places we least expect. A respected veteran, a devoted father, and a trusted investigator, Rick’s tragic end was caused not by a stranger, but by someone who once claimed to care for him.
His story is about courage, betrayal, and the pursuit of justice. It also reminds us that truth can still rise, even when evil tries to bury it. Rick’s legacy lives on in the lives he touched and the justice finally served in his name.
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