Francis (Frank) D. Shelden: He was a millionaire and the proprietor of North Fox Island. He ran the abuse-ring with Gerald Richards and Dyer Grossman. Shelden and others were also discovered to be involved in other abuse rings throughout the country; the image I shared in the update mentions Tennessee. He was never convicted because he fled to the Netherlands in 1976 where he involved himself with Dutch pedophile politician Ed Brongersma, and was reported to have died (Shelden) in 1996. Amsterdam police searched his residence for evidence after his death, and noted the disposition of his remains remains unknown. Also, I have found no evidence of a death certificate. Shelden has financing/links to other abuse networks (e.g., the “Hermes” newsletter / John David Norman’s Delta Project) show up in historical reporting and summaries. Shelden's financial dealings included trusts in the Virgin Islands, involving entities like the Trust Company of the Virgin Islands. If alive today, he would be 97.
Gerald Richards: A schoolteacher who was accused of being an accomplice in the child pornography ring on North Fox Island. He was prosecuted for child pornography charges and served a short prison term. Immediately following his release, he started performing magic shows for children with his own young son. He was discovered as distributing child sexually abusive material in 1988, but claimed it was part of a sting operation—and I believe got away with it entirely. Richards’ death date is disputed in public sources: some cite 1998 (suicide); an archival 1994 obituary has also been reported. No mainstream obituaries or official government death certificates are easily accessible in open sources, which is why the contradiction persists. If alive today (2025), he’d be about 85 years old.
Dyer Grossman: Grossman was described as coming from a wealthy Long Island family and held roles as a science teacher at two prominent boys’ schools in the Northeast. He used multiple pseudonyms—such as “Dale Osterman,” “Elliot Crossman,” and “Elijah Crossman”—while serving as a vice president of Brother Paul’s Children’s Mission, as well as executive director of the Ocean Living Institute and youth director for the Church of the New Revelation (all of which existed largely on paper).
Grossman's influence is central to understanding Shelden’s escape. In July 1976, he called Shelden with a warning that Richards might drag Shelden into criminal trouble, and advised him to leave the country and protect his assets. This prompted Shelden to flee the U.S. for Europe and set up offshore structures.
Grossman facilitated the creation of shell fronts (Brother Paul’s Children’s Mission, Church of the New Revelation, Ocean Living Institute) to cloak a child pornography and abuse ring masquerading as charitable or spiritual outreach.
These entities were used to legitimize the recruitment, transport, and exploitation of minors under the guise of philanthropy and/or spiritual development.
Despite being implicated in charges of criminal sexual conduct in both Michigan's St. Clair and Grand Traverse counties around 1976–77, Grossman was never served arrest warrants. His whereabouts remained unknown as law enforcement struggled to track him down—even as Shelden and Richards had arrests or charges filed.
After his involvement in the North Fox Island scandal, Grossman essentially vanished from public and legal records. No credible obituaries, arrest records, or confirmed death notices have surfaced.
The only hint of a possible last sighting comes from a user-written summary, which states he was last seen in Tacoma, Washington, around 1976–77, in a motel carrying “a lot of camera equipment.” But this claim comes from online speculation—not verifiable sources.
It is important to note these men's connection to Adam Starchild, whom Grossman reportedly connected Shelden with. Adam Starchild was known for publishing books regarding faking your own death, living offshore, evading authorities, etc. Starchild was heavily involved with Shelden, financially.
I personally believe, as does at least one survivor, there is a strong possibility that at least two of these men are still alive. I am astounded as to why there has not been more investigation into their status.