Recent news reports suggest that the DB Cooper case is about to be resolved. FBI Agents found evidence that could point to a possible suspect.
For years, the case of DB Cooper, the unidentified man, who parachuted out in 1971 with $200,000, and hijacked a plane above Oregon, has been a puzzle. Even though the case has eluded many investigators, and spawned several theories about who might have committed the crime, the case remains a mystery.
A modified surplus military parachute believed to be connected to the caper was discovered by Richard Floyd McCoy on his North Carolina property. McCoy has been suspected by amateur investigators for years due to similarities in the hijacking of an airplane in 1971 and the crime committed by McCoy in 1972.
In 2022, a YouTuber named Dan Gryder discovered the parachute while on Gryder’s property. Gryder was an investigative journalist who had been working on the case for over two decades. Cowboy State Daily claims that this parachute was “one of a thousand”.
He demanded $200,000 and four parachutes.
He met his demands after landing in Seattle, and passengers were released. The crew was instructed to fly low and slowly towards Mexico City. Around 30 minutes after takeoff, he parachuted.
Cooper’s identity and fate are unknown despite an extensive FBI investigation. This is the only commercial aviation air piracy case that hasn’t been solved.
Earl Cossey described modifications made to parachutes. McCoy’s two children, Chante McCoy & Rick McCoy, believe that their father is DB Cooper. The children waited for their mother to die before they shared their suspicions.
The FBI took official possession of the parachutes in September 2023. They also took the skydiving logbook which matched up with the dates of both hijackings.
Rick McCoy recalled how the FBI searched his home to find other evidence that might have been able to link his father’s crimes.
McCoy’s son Rick McCoy described how FBI agents searched “every crevice, corner, and nook” of the McCoy house to find additional evidence. Gryder, along with his colleague and retired airline pilot Laura Savino documented the four-hour long search from afar. It was the first time the FBI had devoted such resources to a case.
McCoy hijacked United Airlines a year following the Oregon hijacking. McCoy demanded $500,000. McCoy used a parachute to escape. In 72 hours, McCoy was killed by the authorities in a gunfight.
Former FBI Special Agent Larry Carr is skeptical.
McCoy’s involvement is suspected due to the parachutes found and the children who testified. McCoy is younger than Cooper, according to the profile. This age difference can be difficult for some to accept. Gryder rejects that and believes McCoy wore a disguise at the time of the heist.
Eric Ulis has been investigating the case for years. He has a new theory. Ulis thinks that DB Cooper is Vince Petersen an aerospace engineer who lives in Pittsburgh. Ulis’ Freedom of Information Act application to obtain Cooper’s DNA was denied.
Gryder is steadfast in his belief that McCoy remains McCoy. Gryder points out the uniqueness and finality of the modifications made to Cooper’s parachutes.
The FBI is keeping this investigation very secret. Neither the McCoys nor the public have received any updates from the FBI.
