I've read with interest each and every post relating to Thomas Baron and have the following observations to offer based on a year-long, and ongoing investigation into the life and death of Thomas Ronald Baron: Baron's 55-page report (which was actually 58 pages) was condemnatory of his employer, North American Aviation, not NASA. In it, he expresses the opinion that more oversight from NASA was needed, but that's about it for his "criticism" of NASA itself.
Secondly, I know of no "official" ruling that Baron's death was a suicide. Neither the State of Florida, nor Brevard County, have an autopsy or coroner's report. I don't believe either documentation existed. Law enforcement and medical personnel never viewed the death of Baron, wife Marlene and stepdaughter Penny Frey as anything but an accident. The only "official" ruling, or rather conclusion I've found is that of the Florida Highway Patrol, which concluded that Baron tried to beat the train and was unsuccessful. And the train did not strike Baron's automobile, the car actually struck the train.
Also, the bodies were not cremated, as some websites maintain.
As for the 500-page report, it obviously existed. Baron tried to present it at the hearing and he told family members he had written it. Also, I have interviewed someone close to Baron who claims to have received a copy of the report after this death, which would throw cold water on the "he was killed for the report" theory. With that said, the person who made the claim contents the report was destroyed several years ago, so the claim must be considered heresay. I have not been able to determine if anyone in an official capacity received the 500-page report. I hope to visit the National Archives to see if it exists, or at least a receipt or other documentation that would prove it had been received.
As for Baron's briefcase, it existed in December of 1966, for sure. A man I view as very credible saw it and a number of documents in it. As far as I can tell, the briefcase never surfaced after Baron's death. I've talked to two relatives who received personal belongings and neither received the briefcase. In fact, very few personal effects were given to family. But then again, no one from his or her family came to Mims to settle his estate or claim any belongings. I have been unable to find an inventory of Baron's belongings at the time of his death. The Florida Highway Patrol listed no belongings in the car, which I believe view with great skepticism. One of the photographers who captured the "accident" scene on film remembers a tool box, but doesn't know what happened to it.
Baron believed he was being watched. He told more than one person that he was being followed. Again, heresay, but I've heard it from more than one person, independent of each other. Again, I haven't found concrete evidence.
Hopefully, I've addressed a couple of misconceptions. I will continue to investigate. And I would like to hear from anyone who has leads I should look into.
I'm not prepared to say Baron was murdered. But "trying to beat the train" doesn't fit the safety-conscious, meticulous nature of the man either. I'd be interested in how the "accident" could have been arranged. There was brake fluid in the master cylinder and the FHP noted no evidence of foul play (the trooper claims he considered it after realizing who Baron was). Any ideas?
For the record, I am an investigative journalist with more than 30 years in the media business.