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D.B. Cooper hijacking case reopens after potential new evidence surfaces

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The D.B. Cooper hijacking case, a notorious unsolved mystery, is back in the spotlight as the Federal Bureau of Investigation continues to search for evidence after 53 years. The event occurred on November 24, 1971, when a man using the alias Dan Cooper boarded a flight from Portland to Seattle. During the flight, he demanded $200,000 and four parachutes from the pilot.

Upon landing in Seattle, Cooper exchanged passengers for the ransom and parachutes before instructing the crew to fly to Mexico City. However, shortly after takeoff, he opened a door at the rear of the aircraft and parachuted out. His identity remains unknown.

Over decades, the FBI has interviewed over 800 suspects but has yet to identify Cooper or recover most of the ransom money. In 1980, a boy found some bills matching those used in the ransom along the Columbia River.

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The FBI recently reopened this case with potential new evidence—a parachute possibly linked to Cooper—surfacing. This was found by Richard McCoy or his grandchildren; McCoy was previously considered a suspect due to similar criminal activities but did not match descriptions given by flight attendants.

Cooper had arrived at Portland airport and paid cash for a one-way ticket to Seattle. He wore business attire and ordered bourbon and soda onboard before passing a note claiming he had a bomb.

A significant question remains whether Cooper survived his jump with an unsteerable parachute into rough terrain while dressed inadequately for survival conditions. Despite extensive investigations across various leads nationwide, D.B. Cooper's true identity and fate remain elusive.

The plane involved continued service with other airlines before being dismantled.

Organizations Included in this History
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