FBI Explores Potential Breakthrough in 53-Year-Old Case

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A potential breakthrough in the 53-year-old D.B. Cooper hijacking case emerges as the FBI investigates a newly discovered parachute.

At a Glance

FBI examines a parachute potentially linked to the infamous 1971 D.B. Cooper hijacking.
Children of suspect Richard Floyd McCoy II come forward with new claims.
Investigator Eric Gryder describes the discovered parachute as “one in a billion.”
FBI reopens investigation for the first time since 2016.
Case remains unsolved after more than five decades.

New Evidence Sparks FBI Interest

The FBI has renewed its investigation into the infamous D.B. Cooper case, following the discovery of a parachute that could be linked to the mysterious hijacker. On November 24, 1971, a man known as D.B. Cooper hijacked Northwest Orient Airlines Flight 305, demanded a $200,000 ransom, and parachuted out of the aircraft, disappearing without a trace. Now, 53 years later, this cold case may be heating up again.

The children of Richard Floyd McCoy II, a long-time suspect in the case, have come forward with new information. Investigator Eric Gryder found a modified military parachute in McCoy’s garage, which he believes could be authentic evidence from the hijacking.

The FBI’s interest in this new evidence marks their first action on the D.B. Cooper case since it was shelved in 2016. The fact that they have not yet returned the parachute suggests they suspect it may indeed be connected to the Cooper hijacking.

The Original Hijacking

On that fateful day in 1971, a man in his mid-40s, dressed in a business suit, boarded Northwest Orient Flight 305 from Portland, Oregon, to Seattle, Washington. Using cash, he purchased a one-way ticket under the name Dan Cooper. Once airborne, he claimed to have a bomb and demanded $200,000 in twenty-dollar bills and four parachutes.

After receiving the ransom and parachutes in Seattle, Cooper released the passengers but kept some crew members. He then ordered the plane to fly towards Mexico City. Somewhere between Seattle and Reno, Cooper parachuted out of the plane with the money, never to be seen again.

The McCoy Connection

Richard Floyd McCoy II was previously suspected of being D.B. Cooper, especially after he was involved in a similar hijacking incident in 1972, demanding a $500,000 ransom. Now, his children suspect their father could have been the elusive Cooper and also believe their mother may have been involved in the alleged crime.

The FBI’s investigation, codenamed NORJAK, considered over 800 suspects but narrowed it down to two dozen. Despite extensive efforts, the case remained unsolved, with speculation that Cooper may not have survived the jump due to unsuitable equipment and harsh weather conditions.

Ongoing Mystery

The D.B. Cooper case has captivated the public imagination for over five decades. In 1980, a young boy found $5,800 in twenty-dollar bills matching the serial numbers of the ransom money, reigniting interest in the case. The name “D.B. Cooper” itself originated from a press mix-up; the FBI had questioned a man with those initials, but he was not the actual hijacker.

As the FBI examines this new evidence, many wonder if this could finally solve one of America’s most enduring criminal mysteries. The discovery of the parachute and the claims made by McCoy’s children have breathed new life into this cold case, potentially bringing us closer to unraveling the true identity and fate of D.B. Cooper.

#OTD in 1971, a man calling himself Dan Cooper parachuted from a plane he had just hijacked, clutching a bag filled with stolen cash. Who was Cooper? Did he survive the jump? What happened to the stolen money? Read about this unsolved mystery at https://t.co/uh1V5xOrN5.

— FBI (@FBI) November 24, 2019

While the outcome remains uncertain, this development serves as a reminder that even decades-old cases can yield new clues. As the investigation unfolds, the nation watches with bated breath, hoping for answers to this legendary unsolved mystery that has perplexed law enforcement and fascinated the public for generations.