But no one was prepared for the dramatic events that unfolded in 1995 when, in late August, the O'Hairs abruptly abandoned their comfortable Austin home. In their hasty departure, they left behind their three beloved dogs, unattended, Madalyn's diabetes medication and a note telling atheist staffers the office was closed. But the three soon resurfaced in San Antonio, where they kept in intermittent phone contact with anxious atheist officials for about a month and then vanished for good. Austin police, who are unconvinced any crime occurred, have handled the O'Hair disappearance like a routine missing person's case. It's still an open case.
Nothing indicates foul play.
Steve Baker, who had the case until late last year. Baker said police did interview David Waters, an Austin ex-con who knew Fry and had worked as office manager of O'Hair's atheist organizations in Austin in 1993. But Baker said investigators learned little. Now on probation, Waters is making monthly restitution payments. Like the Austin police, Waters thinks the O'Hairs took the money and ran, and he denies any knowledge of their fate.