What Happened to Danny Casolaro? Who Was Danny Casolaro?

Danny Casolaro, a freelance writer, was found dead in a hotel bathtub in 1991, with slashed wrists, sparking controversy over whether it was suicide or murder.

by Ruksana

Updated Feb 27, 2024

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What Happened to Danny Casolaro? Who Was Danny Casolaro?
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What Happened to Danny Casolaro?

Danny Casolaro, an American freelance writer, met a tragic end in 1991 when he was found dead in a hotel bathtub in Martinsburg, West Virginia, with his wrists slashed multiple times. His death became controversial due to the suspicious circumstances surrounding it.

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Casolaro was in Martinsburg to investigate a story he called "the Octopus," which involved a vast conspiracy allegedly tying together various political scandals and covert operations, including the Inslaw case, the October Surprise theory, the collapse of BCCI, and the Iran-Contra affair. 

Despite the medical examiner ruling it as a suicide, there were doubts raised by Casolaro's family and some law enforcement officials. His notes, reports of threatening phone calls, and his own fear of blood tests contradicted the suicide ruling.

Casolaro's investigation into the Inslaw case and his interactions with individuals like Michael Riconosciuto fueled speculation about foul play. The circumstances of his final days, including meetings with various individuals and expressions of frustration, added to the mystery.

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Despite initial investigations concluding suicide, doubts persist, with some suggesting Casolaro may have intended his death to appear as murder to draw attention to his research. The case remains controversial, with suspicions of a cover-up and ongoing speculation about what truly happened to Danny Casolaro.

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Who was Danny Casolaro?

Danny Casolaro was an American freelance writer born on June 16, 1947, in McLean, Virginia. He gained public attention due to the mysterious circumstances of his death in 1991.

Casolaro's investigative work focused on uncovering a complex conspiracy he dubbed "the Octopus," which allegedly linked together various political scandals and covert operations, including the Inslaw case, the October Surprise theory, and the Iran-Contra affair. 

Before his death, Casolaro had a diverse range of interests, including amateur boxing, poetry, and raising purebred Arabian horses. He briefly pursued journalism in the 1970s, investigating topics such as Soviet naval presence in Cuba and Chinese communist smuggling of opium into the U.S.

However, he shifted his focus to the computer industry in the late 1980s before returning to journalism to pursue the Inslaw case. Casolaro's death, ruled a suicide by authorities, raised suspicions due to his notes, reports of threatening phone calls, and his well-known fear of blood tests.

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His case remains controversial, with ongoing speculation about the true circumstances of his demise. Casolaro's life and work continue to be subjects of interest and scrutiny, with his story inspiring artistic interpretations and investigations into alleged government cover-ups.

Name

Danny Casolaro

Born:

June 16, 1947

Place of Birth:

McLean, Virginia

Died:

August 10, 1991

Place of Death:

Sheraton Hotel, Martinsburg, WV

Nationality:

American

Alma Mater:

Providence College

Occupation:

Freelance Writer

Spouse:

Terrill Pace 

Children:

1

Danny Casolaro Early Life

Danny Casolaro was born on June 16, 1947, into a Catholic family in McLean, Virginia, as Joseph Daniel Casolaro. He grew up as the second of six children, with his father working as an obstetrician.

Tragedy struck the family early on, with one of his siblings passing away shortly after birth, and another sister, Lisa, dying from a drug overdose in San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury in 1971. Casolaro attended Providence College until 1968 and eventually married Terrill Pace, with whom he had a son named Trey.

The couple later divorced after ten years of marriage, with Casolaro obtaining legal custody of their son. Casolaro's interests were diverse, ranging from amateur boxing to writing poems and short stories. He also had a passion for raising purebred Arabian horses.

In terms of career, Casolaro initially dabbled in journalism, exploring topics such as the Soviet naval presence in Cuba and Chinese communist smuggling of opium into the U.S. However, he transitioned to the computer industry in the late 1970s, acquiring a series of computer-trade magazines that he later sold in the late 1980s.

It wasn't until early 1990 that Casolaro returned to journalism, reigniting his interest in investigative reporting, particularly focusing on cases like the Inslaw affair. His eclectic background and varied experiences shaped his investigative approach and ultimately led him down a path that ended in controversy and tragedy.

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Danny Casolaro Career

Danny Casolaro's career trajectory was marked by a diverse array of interests and endeavors. Initially drawn to journalism, he explored topics such as the Soviet naval presence in Cuba, Castro's intelligence network, and Chinese communist smuggling of opium into the U.S.

Casolaro's investigative pursuits also extended to amateur boxing, writing poetry and short stories, and raising Arabian horses. In the late 1970s, he transitioned to the computer industry, acquiring trade publications which he later sold.

However, his passion for journalism reignited in the early 1990s, particularly with his interest in the Inslaw case, a software dispute involving the U.S. Justice Department. Despite limited publication success, Casolaro's dedication to uncovering hidden truths was evident.

His pursuit of the Inslaw story and other related conspiracies led him into increasingly murky waters, where he eventually met his untimely demise. Investigating a conspiracy he called "the Octopus," involving political scandals, his death raised suspicions of foul play due to threatening calls and his own fears.

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Danny Casolaro Death

Danny Casolaro's death in 1991 remains shrouded in mystery and controversy. Found dead in a hotel bathtub with multiple wrist lacerations, it was officially ruled a suicide. However, suspicions of foul play arose due to the peculiar circumstances surrounding his demise.

Casolaro's investigative journey into what he termed "the Octopus," a sprawling conspiracy involving government agencies and international intrigue, had reached a critical juncture. In the days leading up to his death, he expressed concerns about his safety and received threatening late-night phone calls.

Moreover, his notes and research hinted at significant revelations he was on the verge of uncovering. Despite initial investigations concluding suicide, questions persist regarding the thoroughness of the inquiry and the possibility of a cover-up.

Casolaro's death remains a haunting enigma, emblematic of the dangers faced by those delving into the murky depths of conspiracy and corruption.

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What Happened to Danny Casolaro - FAQs

1. Who was Danny Casolaro?  

Danny Casolaro was an American freelance writer known for investigating complex conspiracies, including the Inslaw case and the October Surprise theory.

2. What was Danny Casolaro investigating before his death?  

Casolaro was looking into a story he called "the Octopus," which allegedly tied together various political scandals and covert operations.

3. What were the circumstances of Danny Casolaro's death?  

Casolaro was found dead in a hotel bathtub in Martinsburg, West Virginia, with his wrists slashed multiple times, in what was officially ruled a suicide.

4. Why is Danny Casolaro's death controversial?  

The suspicious circumstances surrounding Casolaro's death, including threatening phone calls and his fear of blood tests, have led to doubts about the suicide ruling.

5. What fueled speculation about foul play in Danny Casolaro's death?  

Casolaro's investigative work and interactions with individuals like Michael Riconosciuto, along with his expressions of frustration before his death, added to suspicions of foul play.

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