The Strange Disappearance of D.B. Cooper

Summary

In this episode of Buzzfeed Unsolved, the team delves into the infamous D.B. Cooper case, one of the greatest unsolved mysteries in U.S. history. On November 24, 1971, a man known as Dan Cooper hijacked a plane, extorted $200,000, and parachuted out, disappearing without a trace. Despite years of investigations, including hundreds of suspects and various theories, Cooper's true identity remains unknown. The case raises questions about his survival, possible connections to Boeing, and whether he was a skilled jumper. The mystery persists, leaving us to wonder if we'll ever know the truth behind D.B. Cooper's daring escape.

Takeaways

• 😀 D.B. Cooper is one of the greatest unsolved mysteries in FBI history and U.S. history.
• 😀 The hijacking took place on November 24, 1971, when a man, identified as Dan Cooper, boarded a flight from Portland to Seattle.
• 😀 Cooper hijacked the plane, demanding $200,000, parachutes, and other specific conditions before letting the passengers off and keeping some crew members onboard.
• 😀 After receiving the ransom, Cooper jumped out of the plane with the money and parachutes, disappearing without a trace.
• 😀 The FBI launched an extensive investigation, known as NORJAK, to identify Cooper, considering over 800 suspects in the first five years.
• 😀 One of the major pieces of evidence was a tie Cooper left behind, which was later analyzed for DNA.
• 😀 In 1980, a boy found a package of $20 bills matching the ransom serial numbers on Tina Bar beach, fueling speculation that Cooper’s money may have fallen into the Washougal River.
• 😀 Multiple letters were sent to the FBI claiming to be Cooper or connected to him, though no conclusive leads emerged.
• 😀 Several suspects were considered, including Richard Floyd McCoy, Duane Weber, and Kenneth Christiansen, each with potential connections to the case.
• 😀 The FBI ultimately closed the case in 2016, though it remains an open mystery with no definitive answers, leaving Cooper’s identity and fate uncertain.

Q & A

Who was D.B. Cooper and what is his significance in American history?

D.B. Cooper is the alias of a man who hijacked a commercial airplane in 1971, extorted $200,000 in ransom, and parachuted out of the plane, never to be seen again. His case remains one of the greatest unsolved mysteries in U.S. history.

What were the key events in the D.B. Cooper hijacking?

On November 24, 1971, D.B. Cooper hijacked a Northwest Orient Airlines flight, extorted $200,000 in ransom, and parachuted out of the plane. He was never found, and the case remains unsolved.

What was unusual about the ransom demands made by D.B. Cooper?

D.B. Cooper's ransom demand included $200,000 in $20 bills, two front parachutes, two back parachutes, and a fuel truck ready for refueling when the plane landed. The specific demand for $20 bills was a curious detail.

What was the significance of the $20 bills found years after the hijacking?

In 1980, $5,800 in $20 bills matching the serial numbers of the ransom money was found by a boy on Tina Bar beach, nine years after the hijacking. This was a significant clue, but it ultimately led to no further discoveries about D.B. Cooper's identity.

What theories exist about the fate of D.B. Cooper?

Several theories exist, including the possibility that D.B. Cooper did not survive the fall, as he jumped into harsh conditions without proper equipment. Some also believe that he may have been an experienced jumper, possibly a Boeing employee, which would explain the rare materials found on his tie.

Who were the primary suspects in the D.B. Cooper case?

The primary suspects included Richard Floyd McCoy, Duane Weber, and Kenneth Christiansen. Each had their own theories and potential connections to the case, but none were definitively linked to the hijacking.

How did Richard Floyd McCoy's hijacking compare to that of D.B. Cooper?

McCoy's hijacking in 1972 had several similarities to Cooper's, including hijacking a Boeing 727, parachuting out of the plane, and passing a note demanding money. However, McCoy was later caught, and the FBI ruled him out as Cooper because he didn't match Cooper's description.

What role did Duane Weber's deathbed confession play in the case?

Duane Weber reportedly confessed on his deathbed that he was D.B. Cooper. His wife, Jo, recalled this statement, along with other supposed clues, but the FBI did not consider him a viable suspect due to insufficient evidence linking him to the crime.

Why was Kenneth Christiansen a suspect in the D.B. Cooper case?

Kenneth Christiansen was suspected because he worked as a flight purser for the same airline that Cooper hijacked, and his brother believed he could have been Cooper. However, the FBI ruled him out based on physical discrepancies between Christiansen and Cooper's descriptions.

What is the theory suggesting that D.B. Cooper may have been a Boeing employee?

The theory, proposed by Citizen Sleuths, suggests that D.B. Cooper may have been a Boeing employee, supported by the discovery of rare earth elements on his tie. These elements were used in Boeing’s aerospace manufacturing, and the theory posits that Cooper might have had inside knowledge of the airline industry.