Twenty Years Later KTVU's Mother of All Mysteries; Why Did Elaine Corral Suddenly Leave Her Anchor Gig at Bay Area News Powerhouse; Rumors Abound; 'Sinister' and 'Bad' In The Mix; 415 Media Special Report Revisited

IT RANKS, STILL, ALMOST 20 YEARS NOW, as KTVU's #1 Mother of All Mysteries; nobody still knows why although there's plenty of speculation, some rather disturbing and ominous.

This much is certain; without any rhyme or reason, popular Bay Area TV News veteran anchor, Elaine Corral suddenly resigned --on the air no less.

It left everyone stunned; I wrote about it and it still generates both intrigue and questions as to what triggered it.

I have repeatedly asked several KTVU sources over the years; many of whom who knew Corral well what was the reason(s) behind her sudden departure and they swear to me they have no idea. Others, who heard rumors, offer sinister reasons but still can't place it and refuse to even talk about it on and off the record.

I reached out to Dennis Richmond, her co-anchor at the time; Richmond did not respond to numerous e-mail requests.

Corral (now, Elaine Kendall) offered a reason that many sources say was a ruse: to pursue an acting career.

"Bull," says a long time friend who asked for anonymity.

"She was at the height of her career and making a lot of money; you don't quit suddenly after 17 years unless something weird happened."

Insiders who heard stories say that Corral's relationship with Richmond was tepid at best and that Richmond never warmed to her. They also say, without any proof, that Richmond may have been reason #1 she decided to split, again, without any official reason.

Adding to the intrigue, Corral was paid a large, six-figure settlement upon her resignation --unusual to say the least. Remember, it was her that was leaving. Why was she paid off? Furthermore, the payment had a confidentiality agreement in it; Corral could not say anything about her situation or she'd forfeit the money.

Again, why? If her leaving was strictly because she wanted to pursue an acting career (which has gone nowhere) why did she sign a confidentiality agreement --surely if there was nothing sinister behind her departure she would have nothing to hide.

Kevin O'Brien, a longtime Bay Area TV News fixture, and at the time, KTVU's GM, who was involved in the arrangement, has also been mum about what took place. O'Brien, a broadcast veteran now working with the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame, did not respond to numerous e-mail requests and phone calls.

Corral's relationship with O'Brien, like Richmond, was cool and strictly within business boundaries, but there's heavy speculation that O'Brien may have directly or indirectly dictated Corral's decision to split.

We don't know but we have repeatedly asked around...for many years.

A source told me:

"I don't know what happened but it had nothing; zip, zero, nada to do with her (Corral) to leave because she wanted to act. She left because of something happening; I don't know what took place but whatever it was and whatever it involved was murky and bad."

Another source:

"I could tell you but I'd have to 'kill you."

We'll keep digging.