Coming to PALC on March 17, 2025

Topic:  The King of Diamonds: The Uncatchable Jewel Thief and Hidden Stories of Big D

Rena Pederson – nationally recognized journalist and author. Longtime Dallas journalist Rena Pederson will provide us with an update on her forth-coming book, “The King of Diamonds”. This special preview will include new information about the mysterious jewel thief who stole jewels from dozens of Dallas residents in the 1960s. The thief got away with $6 million in jewels, but was never caught. Who was the King of Diamonds? Why couldn’t police and the FBI catch him? And what was organized crime up to in Dallas? Dallas as it turned out was full of intrigue. The mystery has remained unsolved for six decades.

After more than 200 interviews, Rena will present the thief’s story like a true-life game of Clue. In the process she will provide a vivid portrait of the “Swinging Sixties”, when Dallas partied like jet-setters and oil was gushing.

Rena Pederson is a nationally recognized journalist and author who is a trailblazer for women in journalism. She served on the Pulitzer Board for nine years and received recognition as Vice President and Editorial Page Editor at The Dallas Morning Morning News for 16 years. During her tenure at the newspaper, Texas monthly named her as one of the most powerful women in Texas.