DB Cooper

On November 24, 1971, a man calling himself Dan Cooper boarded Northwest Orient Airlines Flight 305 from Portland to Seattle. Cooper, who was later dubbed "DB Cooper" by the media, was dressed in a dark suit and tie, carrying a black briefcase. He took a seat in the rear of the plane, ordered a bourbon and soda, and calmly informed the flight attendant that he had a bomb in his briefcase.

Thus began one of the most daring and notorious crimes in American history, and to this day, the case of DB Cooper remains the only unsolved skyjacking in US history. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the case, the man behind the mystery, and the clues and theories that have kept the case alive for over four decades.

Who was DB Cooper?

The true identity of DB Cooper has never been conclusively determined, and the hijacker remains one of the most enigmatic and mysterious figures in American criminal history. Cooper was described as a man in his mid-40s, about 6 feet tall, with dark hair and a slim build. He wore a black raincoat, a dark suit and tie, and loafers. He was polite and calm throughout the hijacking, and his demeanor led some to speculate that he may have been a military veteran or former intelligence operative.

What happened during the hijacking?

After informing the flight attendant that he had a bomb in his briefcase, Cooper demanded $200,000 in cash and four parachutes. The plane landed in Seattle, where the passengers were released in exchange for the money and parachutes. Cooper then ordered the pilot to take off and head for Mexico City, but halfway through the flight, he opened the rear door of the plane and jumped out with a parachute and the money. Despite an extensive manhunt and investigation, Cooper was never found, and the money was never recovered.

The Search for DB Cooper

In the days and weeks following the hijacking, law enforcement officials launched a massive search for DB Cooper. The FBI and other agencies combed the rugged terrain of the Pacific Northwest, using helicopters, search dogs, and hundreds of searchers on foot. The search covered a wide area, including parts of Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia. However, despite the massive effort, no sign of Cooper or the money was ever found.

The Clues and Theories

Over the years, several clues and theories have emerged in the search for DB Cooper. In 1980, a young boy found several packets of the ransom money along the banks of the Columbia River, near Vancouver, Washington. The money was in deteriorated condition, but it was confirmed to be part of the ransom paid to Cooper. The discovery sparked renewed interest in the case, and several more clues and theories emerged in the years that followed.

One theory suggests that Cooper may have died in the jump, as the terrain below was treacherous and the weather conditions were harsh. However, others believe that Cooper may have survived the jump and may be living a quiet life somewhere under an assumed identity.

Another theory proposes that Cooper may have been a former military paratrooper, based on his knowledge of parachutes and his ability to jump from a moving plane. Others speculate that he may have had help on the ground, as it would have been difficult for one person to carry the money and parachute through the rugged terrain.

In recent years, several individuals have come forward claiming to be DB Cooper, but none of these claims have been substantiated. The case remains one of the most intriguing and enduring mysteries in American history, and it has captivated the imagination of the public for over four decades.

Conclusion

The case of DB Cooper remains one of the most fascinating unsolved mysteries in American criminal history. Despite extensive investigations and numerous theories, the true identity of Cooper and the fate of the ransom money remains unknown to this day.

While the case has faded from the headlines, it continues to captivate the imagination of the public and inspire new theories and leads. It is a testament to the enduring power of mystery and intrigue that the legend of DB Cooper continues to grow, more than 40 years after the hijacking.

Perhaps someday, new evidence or a breakthrough in technology will shed light on the true identity of DB Cooper and the fate of the ransom money. Until then, the case remains an enduring reminder of the mystery and unpredictability of human behavior.