New theories in D.B. Cooper tale
By JIM FORMAN, KING 5 Staff
SEATTLE -- Huddled around
rarely seen evidence spread out across the briefing room of the Seattle
F.B.I. office, researchers say a new theory is emerging in the D.B.
Cooper case. Scientists test Cooper mystery clues
"Well in D.B. Cooper, there was a fairly recent surprise," said Chicago
metallurgist Alan Stone. Stone is referring to bits of metal found on
some of the physical evidence from the 1971 hijacking, the only
unsolved crime of its kind in U.S. history. Stone is one
of several researchers taking a new look at this old case, and
debunking some old myths surrounding the case. Stone can’t get too
specific, because he is part of an active investigation. But he will
say, "It’s a surprise to find (the metal) where it is." Rubber bands hold key clues
For
decades it has been thought that Cooper, who parachuted out of the back
of a Northwest Orient let with $200,000 in ransom money, was separated
from his haul during the plunge to earth. Why?
Years after the hijacking, some hikers found some of the loot. At the
time experts told the F.B.I. that the money most likely floated down
the Columbia River, putting Cooper’s drop zone miles away.
Enter the rubber bands. "We were able to find the original manufacturer
of the rubber bands," explains Tom Kaye of Seattle’s Burke Museum. A
paleontologist by trade, Kaye says there is no way the rubber bands,
which held the money together, could have been in the water long enough
to wind downstream. "They told us that rubber bands only
last in the wild 3 or 4 months at the most," Burke adds. "So this is in
conflict with the idea that they would be rolling down the river for
seven years," begging the question was the money there all along?
Burke’s answer a simple, "maybe." Steady progress, but no a-ha moment
The
scientists have been given unprecedented access to mountains of
evidence. It is a new look at this old case, which many including the
F.B.I. are following closely. The "a- ha" moment says Burke would be
finding D.B. Cooper, or his remains, but that everyone agrees is
unlikely. Still, Burke presses on: "Are we getting closer to D.B.? I think we are, time will tell." Indeed.
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