You remember the name Ricky Spencer, right? If you followed the tragic disappearance of Venus Stewart back in 2010, his name is probably burned into your brain. He wasn’t the husband—that was Doug Stewart—but he was the guy who made the whole thing possible. It’s one of those true crime stories that stays with you because it feels so much like a movie plot, only way darker.
People still search for him. They want to know where he went after the cameras stopped flashing and the prison gates opened. Honestly, it’s a weird rabbit hole to fall down.
The Role That Changed Everything
To understand where Ricky Spencer is now, you have to remember exactly why he became famous—or infamous—in the first place. Back in April 2010, Venus Stewart vanished from her parents' home in Michigan. For a long time, there was no body. No physical evidence. Just a lot of suspicion directed at her estranged husband, Doug.
Then came Ricky Spencer.
Ricky was a guy from Delaware who looked remarkably like Doug Stewart. That was the "hook." Doug convinced Ricky to play a role in a twisted alibi scheme. While Doug was allegedly driving to Michigan to murder his wife, Ricky stayed behind in Delaware, wearing Doug's clothes, using his credit cards, and making sure he was seen on security cameras. He was the "body double."
It worked for a minute. But the guilt or the pressure—maybe both—cracked him. Ricky eventually led investigators to the truth. He told them everything about the plan. He admitted to impersonating Doug. His testimony was the literal nail in the coffin for Doug Stewart's defense.
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The Prison Years and the Release
Because he cooperated, Ricky got a bit of a break, but he didn't walk free immediately. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit perjury and was sentenced to a year in jail.
By early 2012, his time was up.
There was a lot of local news coverage when he was released. You can still find old clips of reporters talking about him leaving jail in Bear, Delaware. He looked different—tired, maybe a bit shell-shocked. After that? The trail goes remarkably cold.
Where Is Ricky Spencer Now?
So, the big question: where is he in 2026?
The short answer is that he has successfully pulled off the ultimate vanishing act. Unlike some "true crime celebrities" who try to start a YouTube channel or write a memoir about their mistakes, Spencer chose total obscurity.
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- He likely changed his name. It’s a common move for people involved in high-profile cases who aren't looking for a second act in the spotlight.
- He moved out of the tri-state area. While he was originally from Delaware, sources close to the investigation back then suggested he wanted a fresh start far away from the East Coast.
- He stays off social media. You won't find a verified "Ricky Spencer" on Instagram talking about his life.
Basically, he’s a ghost. And honestly, can you blame him? Being known as the guy who helped a murderer create an alibi—even if you eventually did the right thing—isn't something you put on a LinkedIn profile.
Why We Still Talk About Him
The fascination with Spencer's current whereabouts usually spikes whenever the Venus Stewart case pops up on a Netflix documentary or a "Cold Case" rerun. In 2018, the case made headlines again when Doug Stewart finally led police to Venus’s remains in exchange for an Xbox and other prison perks.
Even then, Ricky didn't resurface. He didn't give an interview. He didn't comment on the fact that the woman he helped "disappear" had finally been found.
That silence is telling. It suggests someone who isn't looking for redemption in the public eye. He’s just living a life. Maybe he’s working a 9-to-5 in a midwestern town. Maybe he’s married with a different surname.
The Reality of Post-Crime Life
There’s a misconception that everyone involved in a major case stays "connected" to it forever. But for people like Ricky Spencer, the goal is usually the opposite. He served his time. He gave the testimony that put a killer away for life. In the eyes of the law, he’s square.
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But the internet doesn't forget. That's why people keep searching.
If you’re looking for a dramatic update where he’s been caught in another scheme or has become a monk in Tibet, you’re going to be disappointed. He’s the rare example of someone who actually succeeded in starting over. He’s a private citizen now, likely living under a different identity, far removed from the 2010 nightmare.
What You Should Know
If you're following this case or others like it, there are a few things to keep in mind regarding people who "disappear" after high-profile trials:
- Public records are limited. Unless someone is arrested again, tracking a private citizen who has changed their name is nearly impossible for the average person.
- Privacy laws matter. Even if someone knows where he is, there are significant legal and ethical barriers to "doxing" a witness who has served their sentence.
- The "Witness" vs. "Accomplice" label. Spencer was technically an accomplice who became the star witness. That middle ground makes his legacy complicated, which is why he likely stays hidden.
If you want to keep tabs on the legacy of the case itself, the best place to look is the Michigan Department of Corrections records for Douglas Stewart. He’s still serving his life sentence at the Saginaw Correctional Facility. As for Ricky? He’s long gone.
To get the most accurate picture of how these cases resolve, you should look into the Michigan court archives for the Stewart trial. They provide the full transcript of Spencer's testimony, which remains the most detailed public record of his involvement and his mindset at the time.