Federal fugitive

By DOUG McMURDO, News Reporter

May 17, 2002

Search for Genie Dyer now nationwide; hunt for vase missing from Adrian estate underway

Genie Dyer hit the big time this week when the former Deputy Public Administrator became a federal fugitive.

"It's a manhunt," said District Attorney Bob Beckett. "And we have all federal resources." Dyer fled Pahrump in February after her husband, former Public Administrator Robert "Red" Dyer, was arrested on new charges.

At the time she left, the pair was awaiting trial on over 40 alleged crimes, most related to theft and forgery of estate property in Nye County. Already wanted on additional felony failure to appear warrants, Dyer went nationwide when she was charged by federal authorities with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. The FBI is involved in her apprehension.

Authorities in Nye County, meanwhile, are interested in locating a vase police believe was stolen from the estate of Bobbi Adrian, a Beatty businesswoman whose home the Dyers allegedly looted following Adrian's July 19, 1999 death.

The vase is priceless, according to Chief Deputy District Attorney Kirk Vitto, who said there are only two like it in the world. A reward has been offered for information leading to its recovery.

An associate of Adrian's who asked to remain anonymous said the "Kanshitsu" vase was made by renowned Japanese artist Takebayashi, and is as rare as it is valuable. The man told the Pahrump Valley Times he has not seen the vase listed in questionable inventories conducted by the Dyers after Adrian's death.

The Smithsonian had reportedly expressed interest in the vase said the man, adding the other one is in the Bahai temple in San Francisco. "I don't know how Bobbi got it," he said, "But it's worth a great deal of money."

Authorities believe if Genie Dyer was aware of the vase's value she could have sold it and financed a getaway. The more likely scenario, police believe, is that the Dyers might have sold the vase for a fraction of its value. If that's true, authorities hope the purchaser comes forward.

"I'm hoping somebody honest comes forward," said the man. "That woman needs to be in jail and if she sold the vase to someone honest she'll get caught. That's why I want the public to know how valuable this vase is."

In the meantime, Red Dyer remains jailed and awaits a sentencing hearing scheduled for June 14 in Pahrump District Court. Dyer earlier this spring entered guilty pleas to three felony charges.