Oklahoma woman discovers husband was a Canadian man who faked his death 37 years earlier in a barn fire
Deb Proctor of Oklahoma discovered her husband, Jeff Walton, was actually Ronald Stan, a Canadian man who faked his death in a 1977 barn fire and abandoned his family. After 37 years living under a new identity in the United States, Stan's past was uncovered by an investigator who contacted Proctor. She has since shared her story in ABC's 'Betrayal: Secrets & Lies,' highlighting the emotional toll of his decades-long deception.
- ▪Ronald Stan faked his death in a 1977 barn fire in Canada, leaving behind a wife and two children.
- ▪Deb Proctor married Jeff Walton, unaware he was a fugitive living under a false identity for nearly four decades.
- ▪An investigator contacted Proctor to reveal that her husband was actually Ronald Stan, prompting her to come forward publicly.
- ▪Proctor's story is featured in ABC's true crime series 'Betrayal: Secrets & Lies,' based on the 'Betrayal' podcast franchise.
- ▪Stan had lived in the U.S. since fleeing Canada, building a new life while his original family believed he had died in the fire.
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Oklahoma Oklahoma woman discovers husband was a Canadian man who faked his death 37 years earlier in a barn fire Ronald Stan faked his death in a 1977 barn fire, abandoning his wife and children in Canada before fleeing to America By Stephanie Nolasco Fox News Published May 16, 2026 6:00am EDT Facebook Twitter Threads Flipboard Comments Print Email Add Fox News on Google close Video Vanished: Behind the string of deaths and disappearances of several American scientists Fox News senior correspondent Eric Shawn hosts as Fox Nation takes a deep dive into a series of mysteries surrounding America's missing scientists.
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