Frank Matthews, a major American drug trafficker known as “Black Caesar,” disappeared in 1973 while out on bail and has never been definitively found. His ultimate fate remains unknown, and law enforcement now generally treats his case as a long‑cold fugitive mystery.
Who Frank Matthews Was
Frank Larry Matthews was a prominent heroin and cocaine trafficker whose organization operated in numerous U.S. states in the late 1960s and early 1970s. His wealth and reach in the drug trade were reported as rivaling or exceeding some better‑known crime figures of the era.
What Happened In 1973
Matthews was indicted on drug‑trafficking and tax‑evasion charges and faced the possibility of decades in federal prison. While out on reduced bail, he failed to appear for a scheduled federal court hearing in Brooklyn on July 2, 1973, and vanished along with his girlfriend, leaving behind his family and properties.
After The Disappearance
Authorities issued a substantial reward for his capture, and over the years there have been many unconfirmed rumors placing him in the Caribbean, South America, or Africa, or claiming he was murdered by criminal rivals. Investigators never confirmed any of these leads, and no verified contact, fingerprints, or sightings have been documented since he fled.
Current View Of His Fate
Writers and former investigators are split on whether Matthews survived long after his disappearance or was killed soon after going on the run. With the trail completely cold and official attention largely faded, most sources now regard what happened to him as an unsolved mystery that may never be conclusively resolved.
