Christian Karl Gerhartsreiter (born 1961), known as “Clark Rockefeller,” pulled off one of the most audacious cons in recent history. He tricked high society for years, claiming to be a member of the wealthy Rockefeller family. Gerhartsreiter hid under multiple disguises, married into elite circles, and secured high-paying jobs using fake credentials.
His elaborate con games collapsed in 2008 when he abducted his daughter during a custody dispute. The FBI caught him in Baltimore, exposing his true identity. Gerhartsreiter was later convicted of kidnapping and murder and received a life sentence. His story of deception and crime is a cautionary example of the power of a skilled impersonator.
Early Years and American Dreams
Despite his humble beginnings (or maybe even because of it), Christian Gerhartsreiter’s ambitious dreams of America took root early. Born in 1961 in a small West German town, he was fixated on reaching “the land of opportunity.” His chance came when he met a young hitchhiker who invited him to Connecticut, paving the way for his American excursion.
Gerhartsreiter wasted no time in pursuing his goals. He married a woman in Wisconsin to secure his place in the US, then set his sights on grander dreams. He moved to San Marino, a Los Angeles suburb, where he took on a new identity as Christopher Mountbatten Chichester. His elaborate claims didn’t deter the locals, who welcomed him warmly.
But Gerhartsreiter’s ambitions didn’t end there. He resided in Ruth Didi Sohus’s guest house, only to vanish when Didi’s son and daughter-in-law, John (or Jonathan) and Linda Sohus, mysteriously disappeared. Gerhartsreiter reappeared in Greenwich, Connecticut as Christopher Crowe. He claimed to be a producer for the Alfred Hitchcock Presents TV series. He even got to work at East Coast financial institutions using fake identities, moving his American dreams to new heights of deception.
Playing Multiple Identities
As Gerhartsreiter’s ambitions grew, so did his talent for creating multiple fake identities. He skillfully assumed disguises like Christopher Chichester, Christopher Crowe, and finally, Clark Rockefeller. He would invent elaborate backstories, even claiming to be a 21-year-old baronet with a posh English accent, to make his false identities more believable.
Gerhartsreiter’s con artistry extended to the following:
- Marrying women like Amy Jersild Duhnke and Sandra Boss to solidify his identities
- Securing high-paying jobs at financial institutions using falsified credentials
- Using false social security numbers to establish his assumed personas
- Ingratiating himself into high society circles
- Living a lavish lifestyle** by gaining access to others’ resources
Gerhartsreiter slipped into these roles smoothly, using his charm and cunning to evade detection for years. He would shift from one persona to another seamlessly, always staying one step ahead of those who might question his authenticity. His ability to inhabit multiple personas allowed him to manipulate situations and people to his advantage, ultimately leading to a life of luxury and deceit before his true identity was eventually exposed.
Becoming Clark Rockefeller
Gerhartsreiter’s deception peaked in 1995 when he assumed the identity of James Frederick Mills Clark Rockefeller. As a con artist, he invented an elaborate persona to claim to be a member of the prestigious Rockefeller family. His alleged work helping Third World countries manage debt and his art collection seemed impressive. He even attended exclusive private clubs, cementing his place in high society.
As “Clark Rockefller,” he took his charade to new heights. He married Sandra Boss, a Harvard-educated executive. Despite Boss being the breadwinner, Gerhartsreiter maintained complete control over their finances. He cleverly had her file taxes as a single person to avoid scrutiny.
However, his intricate web of lies unraveled when Boss sought a divorce in 2008, citing his controlling behavior. Desperate to maintain his facade, Gerhartsreiter kidnapped their daughter during a court-supervised visit. This reckless criminal act led to his eventual capture and exposure of his years of impersonating Clark Rockefeller, dramatically ending his elaborate trickery.
Marriage and Family Life
Several crucial events marked Gerhartsreiter’s marriage and family life under his alias James Frederick Mills Clark Rockefeller. In 1995, “Clark Rockefeller” married Harvard-educated executive Sandra Boss. The couple purchased multi-million-dollar properties in Boston and New Hampshire, leading to a lavish lifestyle.
Their daughter, Reigh, was born in 2001, and Gerhartsreiter became a stay-at-home dad while Boss supported the family financially. However, his controlling behavior became evident as he exerted total control over the household finances.
The marriage fell apart in 2007 when Boss filed for divorce due to Gerhartsreiter’s controlling behavior. This led to a heated custody battle over their daughter. In 2008, after losing custody, Gerhartsreiter forcefully seized Reigh during a court-supervised visit, ultimately resulting in his capture and arrest.
The Kidnapping Incident
Desperation forced Gerhartsreiter to abduct his daughter Reigh during a court-supervised visit in Boston. This dramatic move occurred amid a bitter divorce and custody battle with his wife, Sandra Boss. Gerhartsreiter’s actions would ultimately lead to his downfall and expose his long history of deception.
Following the abduction, Gerhartsreiter adopted yet another identity: “Chip Smith.” He ran away to Baltimore, hoping to evade capture. But the FBI outfoxed him, luring him out of his apartment with a clever ruse about a sinking catamaran. It ended his hiding and began his legal troubles.
The high-profile kidnapping case revived attention to this German impostor’s elaborate schemes and multiple fake personas. His conviction for the abduction was followed by a life sentence for a 1985 murder, finally ending his years of impersonation and deceit. Despite his convincing multiple identities as Christopher Chichester, Christopher Crowe, and Clark Rockefeller, Gerhartsreiter couldn’t escape the consequences of his actions.
Unmasked and Brought to Justice
Gerhartsreiter was initially sentenced to 7 years for kidnapping his daughter from ex-wife Sandra Boss. However, his true crimes came to light. The high-profile kidnapping case finally exposed his con man status, resulting in a harsher sentence. He was later convicted of first-degree murder in the death of John Sohus, resulting in a life sentence. Despite his skilled gift for deception and impersonation, Christopher Gerhartsreiter’s true identity was eventually exposed, bringing the impostor Rockefeller to justice.