A former doctor accused of multiple rapes, Ronald Fischer, has been apprehended after more than two decades as a fugitive. Fischer disappeared in 2005 while awaiting a verdict in his trial for the rape of Cheryl Gingerich, a college professor and mother of four. He was found guilty in absentia but evaded sentencing.
Fischer, then 47, had lured Gingerich aboard his sailboat, the Lion King, under the pretense of needing assistance with cleaning. Court testimony reviewed by the Boston Globe detailed how he then pushed her onto a bed and raped her. Investigators searching his East Greenwich, Rhode Island, home discovered documents suggesting plans for identity changes and evasion tactics.
He was ultimately captured last month, living under the assumed identity of Richard Graydon, a self-proclaimed master sailor at the Liberty Yacht Club in New Jersey. Investigators believe Fischer's attempt to re-establish a life, including obtaining a prominent position with the pharmaceutical company Immix Biopharma, led to his downfall. The company published a photo of him as their new chief medical officer, which triggered an FBI tip.
The FBI alerted local law enforcement, who intercepted Fischer aboard his $1.4 million custom-built boat, the Silver Lining, during a routine Coast Guard stop. Fischer, now 70, appeared in court and a judge entered a not guilty plea on his behalf for a bail-jumping charge. He was remanded in custody, deemed a flight risk.
Gingerich expressed relief at his capture, telling NBC 10, "I was happy to think when I woke up, I thought, I slept last night in my bed and Ronald Fischer slept last night in a jail." Elden DaSilva, supervisory deputy U.S. marshal for the District of Rhode Island, noted that "people return to their passions and their behaviors when they feel it’s safe to do so and that’s what he did."
Fischer's flight from justice began earlier. In 1994, he was accused of raping a woman aboard another boat, the Dreammaker. The alleged victim told police she met Fischer for a date, but the encounter escalated when she refused his sexual advances. She claimed Fischer choked her into submission before raping her. Following this incident, the charges were downgraded, and Fischer pleaded guilty to assault and battery in 1996 after the woman declined to testify. He did not serve jail time.
Later, another woman reported being raped by a man named 'Kevin' aboard the Lion King after a date. She later identified Fischer as the assailant. However, it was the 2003 accusation by Gingerich that led to his trial.
Fearing the trial's outcome, Fischer fled. His medical licenses in Rhode Island and Massachusetts were revoked. Investigators noted he had booked and then canceled a flight to London and that his ex-wife mentioned he had friends in Brazil.
During his two decades as a fugitive, Fischer, under the alias Richard Graydon, lived in New York City. He secured a position as chief medical officer at Immix Biopharma by fabricating his resume, claiming to be a board-certified hematologist-oncologist. He also became a member of the Liberty Yacht Club, participating in races and social events.
Crew members described Fischer as having an explosive temper and poor management skills, which hindered his aspirations as a yachtsman. His elaborate deception unraveled when Immix Biopharma published his photograph online, leading to the FBI tip. Immix has since terminated Fischer's employment, stating it was for reasons unrelated to his activities at the company.