This Bison Dele story is so bizarre . . .

[redman]

FBI suspects foul play in Dele disappearance

By Greg Boeck, USA TODAY

PHOENIX — Bison Dele never identified with the pack. Or, sometimes, even himself. Out of the blue in 1998, for reasons he never disclosed, he changed his name from his given Brian Williams. He once ran with the bulls in Pamplona, and he later ran with Michael Jordan and won a ring with the Chicago Bulls in 1996. He signed a seven-year, $45 million contract with the Detroit Pistons in 1997 but walked away from almost $36 million two years later when he went to Lebanon to join friends in a water purification business. He later moved to Australia, where he bought a motorcycle and surfboard and lived a nomadic life.

Dele's last adventure might have begun July 4 when he joined Serena Karlan, his girlfriend of seven months, and Bertrand Saldo, a professional boat captain, and set sail from Moorea, Tahiti, bound for Hawaii via the Tua Motu and Marquesas islands.

Dele, 33, became the focus this week of an international investigation that stretches from this desert city across the Pacific to Australia and includes at least 16 FBI agents. A week ago, family members who haven't heard from Dele or Karlan since July 8 reported them missing at sea. They fear the worst, foul play, with Dele's brother connected to the disappearance.

While in Australia, Dele bought a 55-foot catamaran, named it Hakuna Matata from The Lion King, and took to the seas, often with his brother, Kevin Williams, who goes by the name Miles Dabord.

Last week Dabord was picked up and questioned by Phoenix police after he allegedly attempted to buy $150,000 in gold bullion using Dele's passport, two credit cards and checkbook as identification.

He was released and has since left Phoenix.

FBI spokesman Andy Black said Thursday that the agency is obtaining a fugitive-from-justice warrant based on Dabord's activity in Phoenix. "We are aggressively looking to locate him," Black said.

Black would not comment on Dabord's whereabouts, but he is believed to be in Mexico. Black also said the FBI and U.S. Coast Guard are searching for the boat.

Scott Ohlgren, Karlan's stepfather, and Patricia Phillips, Dele's and Dabord's mother, believe Dabord is connected to the case. "Why didn't Miles call either of the parents when he got back?" Ohlgren said. The two brothers were known to be together before July 4. "No one would do that. This is not correct human behavior. It's a real shame they had him in custody and, for whatever reasons only lawyers know, they let him go."

Ohlgren said he tracked down one crewmember but he left the boat before it sailed in early July and had no information. He is trying to track the family of Saldo. Ohlgren says he is confident the "next 24 to 36 hours will reveal a lot. The FBI is running full speed."

He said he hopes for the best. "But I suspect there has been foul play, from the start."

Said agent Dwight Manley, "It's not looking good at all."