Episode 307 The Tippit Murder Part 20 Igor Vaganov: The Russian In The Red Thunderbird

Episode 307 is the twentieth episode of our mini-series on the Tippit murder. David Belin, the celebrated Warren Commission attorney called it the "Rosetta Stone" of the JFK assassination. It may very well be just that...but for other reasons! In this twentieth episode, we tell the story of Igor Vaganov. a Russian-born émigré who was present in Dallas, Texas, during the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in November 1963. In this episode, we detail Vaganov's history, including his Navy service, marksmanship skills, use of aliases, and criminal record, noting his hasty arrival in Dallas just days before the event. Researchers highlight several coincidences, such as Vaganov's residency in Oak Cliff near key figures like Lee Harvey Oswald and Jack Ruby, his brief employment next door to the Carousel Club, and his ownership of firearms and a modified CB radio potentially useful for communications jamming. Furthermore, the sources focus heavily on Vaganov's unaccounted-for whereabouts during the time of the assassination and the murder of Officer J.D. Tippit, noting his description matched an eyewitness account of an accomplice. While Vaganov was quickly cleared by the FBI, his actions, the presence of cryptic notes and a torn playing card, and subsequent investigative focus keep him a subject of interest in JFK conspiracy theories.

Yes…there is a grave possibility that the true "Rosetta Stone" of November 22nd, 1963, might just lie in the quiet Dallas suburb of Oak Cliff, waiting for us to finally put the pieces together. This is a wander I’ve created especially for you…and of all the wanders you have taken with me, this Tippit series may be the most thrilling of all! And don’t worry, as the fall winds turn cooler, we will all be vacationing once again, in Mexico…I think you know what I mean by that. But our new wander takes precedent. As we wind down the Tippit series, I hope that you will enjoy these last few episodes of what is one of the most riveting aspects of the JFK assassination story.