History Daily 1265: Frank Sinatra Jr. Is Released by His Kidnappers
Dec 11, 2025
In December 1963, Frank Sinatra Jr. is kidnapped at gunpoint by Barry Keenan and Joe Amslin, who pose as deliverymen. The podcast delves into Keenan's troubled past and motivations for the crime, as well as the frantic ransom negotiations involving Frank Sinatra Sr. and the FBI. After a tense three days, Junior is released, leading to the subsequent unraveling of the kidnappers and their arrests. The aftermath includes trials and Frank Sinatra Sr.'s enduring vigilance, painting a gripping tale of celebrity, crime, and recovery.
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Bold Motel Room Abduction
- Barry Keenan and Joe Amslin posed as deliverymen and burst into Frank Sinatra Jr.'s motel room to abduct him at gunpoint.
- They forced Sinatra Jr. into a car and began a ransom plot that soon dominated headlines.
Desperation Fueled The Crime
- Barry's personal collapse — lost wealth, addiction, and hearing a voice — propelled him from financier to kidnapper.
- His desperation and distorted thinking reveal how financial ruin and mental decline can enable extreme crimes.
Sinatra's Reluctant Cooperation
- Frank Sinatra Sr. cooperated with the FBI, followed the kidnappers' phone directions, and prepared a $240,000 ransom suitcase.
- He ran errands from payphone to payphone and complied with FBI instructions despite personal distrust of the agency.