In a twist to one of America’s most enduring mysteries, relatives Chanté and Rick McCoy III have come forth with remarkable claims that their late father, Richard McCoy Jr. , was the legendary aircraft hijack known as DB Cooper. The discovery has reignited interest in the case, prompting perhaps the FBI to take notice, despite having declared the inspection closed in 2016.
DB Cooper’s brave attack in 1971 has fascinated the world for centuries. The secret began when a person using the name” Dan Cooper” boarded Northwest Orient Airlines Flight 305 on November 24, 1971. Armed with a bomb threat, he demanded$ 200,000 in cash ( equivalent to about$ 1. 54 million currently ) and four sails.
After releasing 36 people upon landing in Seattle in change for the payment, Cooper instructed the team to get off again, heading toward Mexico City. Anywhere between Seattle and Reno, Nevada, he parachuted out of the plane with the cash. Despite an exhaustive research, he was never seen again, and his real personality remained unknown.
Fast forward to 2023, when Chanté and Rick claimed that their father was the obscure kidnapper. They waited until their mother’s death in 2020 to share their story, citing concerns that she could be implicated according to information allegedly linking her to the murder.
Among the things they revealed was a balloon that Rick claimed was “one in a billion ” and matched the equipment prepared by skydiving professional Earl Cossey, who had modified the sails for Cooper. The balloon was reportedly found in their mother’s store outside the home residence.
Aviation YouTuber Dan Gryder, who examined the facts, supported the sisters ’ states, noting a striking resemblance between Richard McCoy Jr. and the FBI’s illustrations of DB Cooper. The FBI apparently reached out to the McCoys in 2023, collecting information, searching their mother’s house, and obtaining a DNA sample from Rick.
According to Rick, FBI agents mentioned that exhuming his father’s system could be the next phase. However, the company has no confirmed any programs to do so, maintaining that the situation was actually closed in 2016 due to a lack of viable prospects.
The McCoys ’ claims have stirred fresh intrigue in the mystery, with skeptics and enthusiasts alike debating whether DB Cooper’s true identity might finally be uncovered.
The DB Cooper Story: America’s Greatest Aviation Mystery
The story of DB Cooper is one of the most persistent treasures in contemporary American history. It centers on an unnamed man who, on November 24, 1971, pulled off a brave skyjacking that continues to baffle authorities and excitement the people over 50 years later.
The Heist
On the day before Thanksgiving, a man identifying himself as” Dan Cooper” purchased a one-way ticket for$ 20 at the Portland International Airport for Northwest Orient Airlines Flight 305 to Seattle, Washington. He was described as serene and well-dressed, wearing a black suit, tie, and glasses.
Soon after takeoff, Cooper handed a note to a flight attendant, first ignored as just a romance test. When she suddenly read it, she was shocked to see a text stating that Cooper had a weapon in his briefcase. To show his state, he opened the case to show wires, chargers, and sticks of dynamite. He then calmly issued his demands:$ 200,000 in cash ( equivalent to around$ 1. 54 million in today’s income ), four sails, and a gasoline truck standing by in Seattle to replenish the aircraft.
The airport complied, and after getting in Seattle, the travellers were released in exchange for the money and sails. Cooper kept many staff members onboard and ordered the captain to take off again, heading toward Mexico City at a lower altitude and slower speed to handle his subsequent move.
The Exit
Somewhere over the steep wilderness between Seattle and Reno, Nevada, Cooper opened the plane’s back stairway and parachuted into the night, disappearing with the ransom money. The FBI, alerted soon after the planes landed safely in Reno, launched an exhaustive search. They combed the great forests of the Pacific Northwest, but no sign of Cooper, his sails, or the income was found. The research place, however, was large and difficult to navigate, leaving some to speculate whether he survived the climb.
The Investigation
The FBI codenamed the case “NORJAK” ( Northwest Hijacking ) and spent decades pursuing leads. Their main think share included expert daredevils, military personnel, and individuals with aviation skills. Over the years, they investigated various suspects, but none were clearly linked to the crime.
A major break came in 1980 when a young child found$ 5,800 in deteriorated$ 20 charges buried along the Columbia River in Washington. The serial numbers matched the compensation money, but no other real information was discovered.
