With so many iconic TV sleuths entertaining us over the years, it’s no wonder we see private investigators as exciting and mysterious. But away from his detective work, 37-year-old James Cappello, known as Jim, was just a regular husband and dad.
Jim owned the Cappello Investigative Agency in Huntsville, Alabama, and put in long hours trying to help people. He’d been married to Marjorie Nicole Cappello, known as Nikki and a nurse at a local healthcare facility, for eight years and they had a four-year-old daughter. The couple had recently bought a new home that they planned on renovating.
But while they seemed happy, cracks were starting to show in their marriage. Jim confided in family that he believed Cappello had developed an addiction to narcotics after taking painkillers for a back injury. Others had witnessed her falling asleep at odd times, even during meals.
It was in Jim’s nature to seek out the truth and he admitted to relatives that he’d started to investigate his own wife. If he could prove that she was an addict, he believed he could build a case to get custody of their daughter if they split up.
He even spoke to his sister, Jamie, about putting a tracker on Cappello’s car and was going through her bags to find evidence.
Then, when Jim didn’t turn up for work on 21 September 2018, he was reported missing. As the police got involved, they discovered he was having an affair with a colleague.
Had Jim left his life with Cappello to be with her? It seemed unlikely. He’d never have walked away from the daughter he adored and there was no evidence that was his plan. And, worryingly, he'd spoken to his sister on 19 September and sounded unwell.
This story is from the August 29, 2022 edition of New UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August 29, 2022 edition of New UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
A STICKY SITUATION
Actors Chris Diamantopoulos and Guillaume Cyr bond with Margo Martindale and get beaten up by Jamie Lee Curtis in a riotous new comedy drama series
THIS IS CHRISTMAS ACTUALLY
Love Actually writer and director Richard Curtis gifts the world a new festive film this year
LEARN HOW TO PLEASE YOURSELF
The festive season can be an incredibly stressful time, particularly for peoplepleasers who struggle to put their own needs first
Caught on dashcam injecting her ex with fatal dose of 'poison"
Amanda Hovanec enlisted her lover and her mother in her cold-blooded plot
'I looked better getting married at 53 than I did at 23!'
Wellbeing coach Sarah-Jane Clark, from Swindon, shares how she achieved her dream of wearing a size 10 wedding dress after losing 12st
'I am so looking forward to Christmas'
Helen Flanagan shares her plans for the holidays with her new boyfriend Robbie Talbot and her kids
I'm turning the anger into positive energy
His best friend's death has made Gok Wan rethink life
‘I'm careful with who I allow in my inner circle
Actress and presenter Kéllé Bryan on managing fame and fronting a new fashion initiative
'There were rats..it is a real jungle
Marvin Humes on his I'm A Celebrity experience, backing his buddies and the importance of kindness
'It's not going to be sexy Maura on I'm A Celeb'
Model Caprice Bourret tells new about her festive traditions and starring in and producing a Christmas film