There’s Always a Victim: True Crime Road Trip with Lou Schachter

Aug 5, 2025

Lou Schachter, investigative writer and creator of True Crime Road Trip, shares his thrilling journey of recovering stolen art and the tales behind it. Discover the captivating story of two paintings missing for decades, their dramatic recovery, and the shocking link to an infamous art theft. Lou reflects on how his grandfather's unsolved murder fueled his passion for true crime and hints at his upcoming project, "Lust for Power.” This engaging discussion dives into the complexities of crime, art theft, and the stories that weave them together.

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ANECDOTE

Decades-Old Art Heist Solved

Lou Schachter recovered two paintings stolen 40 years ago from the Harwood Museum in Taos, New Mexico.
His work caught national attention, including a New York Times feature in 2025.

ANECDOTE

Grandfather's Murder Sparks Writing

Lou's grandfather was murdered in 1933, a family secret that inspired his true crime writing.
He discovered a corrupt LA district attorney who enabled the killer to go free and plans to publish this story soon.

ANECDOTE

De Kooning Painting Rediscovered

Lou discovered the stolen de Kooning painting "Woman Ochre" in a New Mexico antique store in 2017.
The buyers initially didn't recognize it, and the FBI suspected the store owner before confirming its authenticity.

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I'm back with renewed Fraudish energy! In this captivating return episode, I welcome Lou Schachter, the investigative mind behind True Crime Road Trip and recent New York Times featured writer. Lou shares his remarkable journey recovering stolen paintings and documenting historical crimes from his home base in Palm Springs.

Don't miss his incredible story of connecting the dots that led to the recovery of two paintings stolen 40 years ago from the Harwood Museum in Taos, New Mexico, a case that garnered national attention in 2025 when the FBI returned the artwork to its rightful home. He also opens up about how his grandfather's unsolved murder sparked his fascination with historical crimes, including his upcoming project "Lust for Power.”

Lou Schachter is a storyteller exploring the intersection of true crime mysteries and travel. His blog features short, real-life stories about curious crimes and odd criminals in intriguing places, with a particular focus on the Desert Southwest. Lou's investigative work recently made headlines when he identified two stolen paintings that had been missing for decades, connecting them to the infamous Alter couple who had previously stolen a $100+ million Willem de Kooning painting.

Lou and his husband have lived in New York, Los Angeles, and now Palm Springs. He's traveled to 70 countries and is the author of two business books. Before pursuing true crime writing, Lou had a successful career in various fields, bringing a unique perspective to his investigations

RESOURCES & LINKS

CONNECT WITH LOU

Follow Lou on Medium: @louschachter
True Crime Road Trip publication: medium.com/true-crime-road-trip

CONNECT WITH KELLY

Website: kellypaxton.com
Twitter: @pdxcfe
LinkedIn: Kelly Paxton, CFE, PI

FRAUDISH PODCAST

Fraudish is a podcast helping those working in fraud prevention and investigation. Hosted by Kelly Paxton, Certified Fraud Examiner, Private Investigator, and Pink Collar Crime Expert. Kelly interviews outstanding fraud professionals to help you advance your career through origin stories, tips, and resources.

New episodes every Tuesday!