Shivangi Sinha
In October 1991, James Alan Arthur was shot four times shortly after leaving his apartment building. He died at the scene before he could be taken to the hospital. The shocking incident quickly made headlines, as his wife, Stacy Arthur, was a well-known Playboy Magazine model. Investigators were puzzled as to why anyone would want to harm James, given that he appeared to live an ordinary, conflict-free life. The episode of Investigation Discovery’s ‘The Playboy Murders’ titled ‘All That Glitters’ provides a comprehensive look at the events surrounding his death and the fate of his killer.
James Alan Arthur Was Shot Even After Trying to Escape His Attacker
James Alan “Jim” Arthur was born on January 19, 1954, and grew up in Lima, Ohio. His parents, Andrew Clay and June Hover Arthur Jr., provided him and his sister with a loving and supportive upbringing, ensuring they had a safe and secure childhood. James was a bright and determined young man who had clear aspirations for his future. After graduating as the valedictorian of Wayne-Goshen High School in 1972, he pursued his studies at the College of Pharmacy at Ohio Northern University. Throughout his school years, he was an avid basketball player and served as a forward for the All-Auglaize County and Logan County teams. He continued playing basketball in college, not professionally, but simply for the enjoyment and relaxation it brought him.
On June 4, 1988, James married Stacy Leigh Darland, a successful model known for her work with Playboy Magazine. In 1990, Stacy was crowned Mrs. Ohio, and by January 1991, she had achieved the title of Playboy Playmate of the Month. James was always incredibly supportive of Stacy’s career, and she often spoke publicly about his warmth and encouragement. Meanwhile, he built his career as an agent for Arthur Management and co-owned a building with Stacy in Bellefontaine, Ohio. The couple built a beautiful home, wherein they lovingly raised their three children from previous relationships: a son named Jimmy and two daughters, Danielle and Brittany.
On October 29, 1991, James left his building for a short drive. As he was pulling out, he was shot twice — once in the hand and once in the face. Despite his injuries, he managed to exit the car and attempted to escape his attacker. This is when he was shot twice more in the back. Residents from the building, alarmed by the sound of gunfire, rushed to the scene and quickly called emergency services. However, by the time paramedics arrived, James was pronounced dead. An autopsy later confirmed that he had died from the four gunshot wounds.
James Lindberg Killed Himself After Shooting James Arthur
Identifying the shooter wasn’t difficult for the police. Witnesses who rushed to James Arthur’s aid after hearing the gunshots saw the attacker fleeing the scene. Moments later, another gunshot was heard from the nearby city parking lot. While some feared another victim, the police soon discovered the attacker unresponsive nearby. He had shot himself in the head with the same gun and was rushed to the hospital. The assailant was identified as James Lindberg, and investigators learned that he had been a fan of Stacy Arthur and had even communicated with her.
Lindberg was a subscriber of Playboy magazine and frequently spoke to Stacy through a 900 telephone line. He often contacted her and even sent her various gifts, including stuffed animals and balloons for her children. When questioned about him, Stacy described him as respectful and polite and mentioned that he would often inquire about her husband. In fact, Lindberg had met James the day before the incident and asked about the latter’s wife.
During their conversation, Lindberg gave him a gift, and in turn, he told him that he could meet Stacy at an upcoming meet-and-greet event in Toledo, Ohio, that weekend. Other residents in the building reported that he had arrived earlier in the day, frantically searching for James. They alleged that he appeared either intoxicated or suffering from a mental illness. The police concluded that his actions were driven by an obsessive fixation on the model. Later that night, on October 29, 1991, he succumbed to his self-inflicted gunshot wound, and the case was closed.
Stacy Arthur Was Living a Private Life at the Time of Her Passing
Stacy Leigh Arthur continued living in Ohio with her children and spoke emotionally in the media about James Arthur’s death. Her former husband, James Neal Trevorrow, had also passed away on July 26, 1991. In 1992, Stacy filed a $70 million lawsuit against Playboy, along with two security guards and a butler who worked at the Playboy Mansion. She alleged that she had been sexually assaulted after being drugged and claimed the magazine failed to take action against her alleged perpetrators.
According to her, the incident occurred on October 6, 1991, at the mansion, and she spoke publicly about it on two nationally televised shows. Although no official charges were filed, and the accused maintained that any interaction had been consensual, they were fired for violating company policy regarding intimate relationships during working hours. Following this, Playboy severed all ties with Stacy, and she retreated from the public eye. On April 5, 2019, Stacy Leigh Arthur passed away at the age of 50 in Ohio after a brief illness.
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