Eric Shawn, senior correspondent for FOX News, led the seven-year investigation into the disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa, a prominent union leader and former president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. The documentary series, ‘Riddle: The Search for James R. Hoffa,’ began as a straightforward mystery but quickly expanded into a complex exploration of labor history, organized crime, and the enduring enigma of Hoffa’s fate. The project, which initially seemed like a one-time story, became a long-term commitment to uncovering the truth behind one of the most infamous unsolved cases in American history.
During the investigation, the team, including veteran producer Dan Cohen, visited Detroit multiple times, meeting with historians, reporters, and experts. They tracked down former attorneys, interviewed authors like Charles Brandt, examined historical documents including the heavily redacted HOFFEX memo, and revisited the Beaverland Street house, a location once believed to be the site of Hoffa’s assassination. The first season of the series, which aired on FOX Nation in November 2018, was well-received, but the team knew there was more to uncover.
The search for answers led the team to explore new theories, including the possibility that Hoffa was moved to New Jersey and buried at Moscato’s Dump in Jersey City. They interviewed the sons of the original dump owners and followed their compelling claims that Hoffa was killed in Detroit, transported across state lines, and buried near the Pulaski Skyway. The investigation expanded into New Jersey, where they examined a theory suggesting that Hoffa may have been buried in a backyard pool owned by Gabriel Briguglio, a suspect with alleged mob connections.
However, the team eventually uncovered flaws in the New Jersey theory, particularly the unreliable testimony of convicted felon Ralph Picardo, who had a history of making false claims to reduce his sentence. The researchers, including the help of Scott Burnstein of Gangster Report, traced the origins of the theory and found it to be based on faulty sources. This led to a re-evaluation of the case, culminating in an interview with Gabriel Briguglio, who finally spoke candidly about the events.
The documentary series reached its conclusion in 2025 with an interview with James P. Hoffa, the son of the missing union leader. The interview provided insight into the family’s emotional journey and the long-standing quest for answers. Eric Shawn’s commitment to the story, from the initial investigation to the final interviews, demonstrated the dedication and tenacity required for true investigative journalism. As the series concludes, it serves as a testament to the importance of persistence, empathy, and journalistic integrity in uncovering the truth.