Last updated on April 5, 2024

Unraveling the Mystery : Who Was D.B. Cooper and What Happened to the Hijacked Money?

Who Was D.B. Cooper?

D.B. Cooper, the mysterious figure who hijacked Northwest Orient Flight 305 in 1971, remains one of the most enigmatic characters in FBI history. Known only by his alias, Cooper’s true identity has eluded investigators for decades.

The Hijacking

On November 24, 1971, a seemingly ordinary man approached the counter at Northwest Orient Airlines in Portland, Oregon. Calling himself Dan Cooper, he purchased a one-way ticket for Flight 305 bound for Seattle, Washington. Sporting a business suit and a black tie, Cooper appeared unassuming as he boarded the plane.

The Hijack

Once on board, D.B. Cooper ordered a bourbon and soda before revealing his true intentions to a flight attendant. Handing her a note claiming he had a bomb in his briefcase, D.B. Cooper demanded $200,000 in twenty-dollar bills and four parachutes. The stunned crew complied, and the plane landed in Seattle where Cooper exchanged the passengers for the ransom and parachutes.

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Money 

On November 24, 1971, the day before Thanksgiving, a “nondescript” man who appeared to be in his mid-40s and about 6 feet tall (1.83 metres) bought a $20 ticket for Northwest Orient Airlines Flight 305. He gave his name as Dan Cooper, which later turned out to be fake. Shortly after takeoff from Portland, he handed a note to a flight attendant in which he claimed to have a bomb in his briefcase. He then proceeded to open the attaché case, which contained numerous wires, red sticks, and a battery. Cooper demanded four parachutes and $200,000 in $20 bills (worth about $1.2 million in the early 21st century).

The Disappearance

After refueling, the plane took off again, with Cooper instructing the pilots to head for Mexico City. Somewhere between Seattle and Reno, Nevada, Cooper executed a daring escape, parachuting out of the plane with the ransom money. Despite an extensive manhunt and investigation by the FBI, Cooper vanished without a trace into the night.

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The Investigation

Dubbed NORJAK (Northwest Hijacking), the FBI’s investigation into Cooper’s identity and whereabouts spanned years and involved countless leads and suspects. Despite considering over 800 individuals, the agency was unable to definitively identify Cooper or his fate.

The Suspects of D.B. Cooper

Among the myriad of suspects, one name that stood out was Richard Floyd McCoy, arrested for a similar hijacking shortly after Cooper’s disappearance. However, McCoy was eventually ruled out due to discrepancies in physical descriptions provided by witnesses.

The Theories

Various theories abound regarding Cooper’s fate. Some speculate that he perished during the daring parachute jump, given the treacherous conditions and his lack of expertise. Others believe he successfully escaped and lived out the rest of his days in anonymity.

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The Legacy

Despite the passage of time, the mystery of D.B. Cooper continues to captivate the public imagination. Numerous songs, books, and films have been inspired by his audacious heist and disappearance, cementing his status as a legendary figure in American folklore.

Conclusion

D.B. Cooper’s identity and fate remain shrouded in mystery, leaving behind one of the greatest unsolved cases in FBI history. As the years pass, the legend of Cooper only grows, ensuring that his story will endure as an enduring enigma for generations to come.