In the shadowy world of Cold War espionage, few figures are as intriguing as Cord Meyer. The CIA operative whose life became intertwined with one of America’s most enduring unsolved mysteries. The story of Meyer and his wife, Mary Pinchot Meyer, weaves through the corridors of power in Washington D.C., brushing against the highest echelons of government and leaving a trail of unanswered questions in its wake. Their tale, marked by tragedy and secrecy, has captivated the public imagination for decades.
At the heart of this enigma lies the alleged affair between Mary Pinchot Meyer’s and President John F. Kennedy, and her untimely death in 1964. The circumstances surrounding her murder, the disappearance of her diary, and the involvement of various intelligence agencies have fueled countless theories and speculations. By examining these elements, there is a continued fascination by the layers that are still being peeled in the JFK assassination.
The Washington Power Couple
Cord Meyer and Mary Pinchot were a prominent couple in Washington D.C. during the Cold War era. Married in 1945, they were both from wealthy and influential families. Cord was the son of a diplomat and real estate developer, while Mary’s family had earned their wealth in the coal business. The couple had three sons together. Tragically, their youngest son Michael was killed in a car accident in 1956 at the age of nine. This event had a profound impact on their marriage, and they eventually divorced in 1958. As a couple, Cord and Mary Meyer were well-connected in Washington’s social and political circles. They were known to host intellectual salons that brought together influential figures from various fields. Mary, in particular, was known for her close friendship with Jacqueline Kennedy, the wife of President John F. Kennedy.
CIA Involvement
Around 1949, Cord Meyer began working for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). He was recruited by Allen Dulles and initially worked in the Office of Policy Coordination under Frank Wisner. Meyer rose through the ranks at the CIA, becoming a high-level operative. He led the agency’s International Organizations Division from 1954 to 1962. Some of Meyer’s work at the CIA remains shrouded in secrecy. However, it was revealed that he was involved in distributing clandestine funds through various front organizations. This includes the National Student Association and the cultural magazine Encounter. The goal, according to Meyer, was to ensure that the American point of view was represented.
Mary’s Transformation
After 13 years of marriage and three children, Mary Pinchot Meyer and Cord Meyer divorced in 1958. This marked a significant turning point in Mary’s life as she embarked on a path of independence and personal growth. Following the divorce, Mary turned her focus to art, attending classes at the Art Students League in New York. She established her own studio in her sister’s garage in Washington D.C., dedicating herself to painting and exploring her artistic talents.
Despite the mystery surrounding her personal life, Mary remained dedicated to her artistic pursuits. She produced notable works like “Half Light” (1964), a tondo featuring geometric abstractions and carefully chosen colors. Her inclusion in exhibitions like the Pan American Union’s Nine Contemporary Painters showcased her growing success as an artist. Mary’s social circle included visionary artists like Anne Truitt and Kenneth Noland, with whom she shared a studio space and a romantic relationship, respectively. These connections provided inspiration for her experimental approach to color and geometry in her paintings.
Relationship With JFK
Other than her career, her life took another turn after her divorce from Cord Meyer in 1958. She developed a close relationship with President John F. Kennedy, which some allege was romantic in nature. Their friendship began in 1961 and continued until his assassination in 1963. She frequently attended White House dinners and private parties where the President was present. According to some accounts, Mary kept a diary that detailed her relationship with JFK. After her murder in 1964, her friend living in Japan urgently called Mary’s sister Tony and brother-in-law Ben Bradlee to secure the diary. The Bradlees, along with CIA counterintelligence chief James Angleton, allegedly found the diary but burned it, destroying potential evidence.
The Georgetown Murder
On October 12, 1964, Mary Pinchot Meyer was shot dead while walking along the C&O Canal towpath in Georgetown, Washington D.C. The murder occurred during her usual afternoon walk, and she was found wearing gloves but carrying no purse or wallet. Henry Wiggins, a mechanic, heard screams and two gunshots from the towpath. Looking over a wall, he saw a man standing near Meyer’s body, who then put something in his pocket and calmly walked away. The suspect was described as an African American male, around 5’8″ to 5’10” tall, wearing a light tan jacket, dark slacks, and a golf cap.
Police arrested Ray Crump Jr., who was found soaking wet, shortly after the murder. Crump claimed he had been fishing and fell into the water, but no fishing gear was found. A tan jacket and golf cap were recovered from the water, and when presented to Crump, he responded, “It looks like you got a stacked deck,” before sobbing. The circumstances surrounding Meyer’s death and her alleged affair with President Kennedy fueled countless theories and speculations. Media coverage was extensive, and the public reaction was one of shock and fascination, given Meyer’s social status and connections to the Washington elite.
The Trial
Ray Crump Jr. was arrested near the scene of Mary Pinchot Meyer’s murder and indicted without a preliminary hearing. His lawyer, Dovey Johnson Roundtree, took on the case for a fee of one dollar, believing in Crump’s innocence despite the government’s case against him. The prosecution had no murder weapon, forensic evidence, or powder burns to prove Crump had fired a gun on the day of the crime. Roundtree discovered discrepancies in witness descriptions of the suspect, with the man described being taller and heavier than Crump. She used this to build her defense, forcing the star witness to admit he had only caught “a glimpse” of the man standing over the body.
In her closing argument, Roundtree presented Crump himself as “Exhibit A,” emphasizing the difference between his physical appearance and the suspect description. On July 30, 1965, the jury returned a not guilty verdict in the case of U.S. v. Ray Crump. Despite Crump’s acquittal, many questions surrounding Meyer’s death remain unanswered. Conspiracy theories persisted, with some believing her murder was linked to her affair with JFK and knowledge of secrets. The diary she allegedly kept detailing the relationship disappeared after her death, with CIA counterintelligence chief James Angleton and Ben Bradlee, her brother-in-law, involved in the search for it. Over five decades later, Mary Pinchot Meyer’s unsolved murder has inspired ongoing investigations, books, and speculation about what really happened on that October day in 1964.
Unsolved Mystery
The story of Cord Meyer and Mary Pinchot Meyer offers a glimpse into the world of Cold War-era Washington. Their lives, intertwined with the CIA, the Kennedy administration, and the art scene, paint a picture of a time filled with intrigue and hidden connections. The unsolved murder of Mary Pinchot Meyer continues to have an impact on public imagination, sparking ongoing debates and investigations. With another tale of power, secrecy, and tragedy, we’re reminded of the lasting effects of politics on personal lives. The Meyer story highlights the blurred lines between public service and private affairs, leaving us with more questions than answers. In the end, it serves as a compelling reminder of the hidden currents that often shape history, inviting us to dig deeper and question the official narratives.
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