CHASING COOPER

On November 24, 1971, a non-descript middle-aged man boarded a flight in Portland, Oregon destined for Seattle. Right before takeoff he handed the young stewardess a note indicating he had a bomb. What transpired over the next few hours is the stuff movies are made of – demanding money and four parachutes, he jumped from the plane somewhere in Southern Washington and has never been identified, seen or heard from again. The only evidence that remains is his dirty clip-on tie, a couple of old parachutes, a boarding pass and some $20 bills found in the sand at Tena Bar on the Columbia River.

OK, so we knew all this already. And a whole lot more. I know the number one song on the date of the highjack (“Theme from Shaft” by Isaac Hayes). I know what book Tina Mucklow was carrying off the plane (“Mary Queen of Scots”). I know that Alice Hancock was planning

Thanksgiving dinner with her new husband’s uncle (don’t ask). I read so many Cooper and non- Cooper books (think: Air America). Countless hours have been spent viewing and listening to podcasts – heck, I have been interviewed myself on more than one! I’ve attended three Cooper conferences and did presentations at two of them. Currently, I am working on a major effort to secure the remaining Cooper evidence for testing and re-testing. The largest DBC-related Facebook page has designated me as a “group expert.” I can intelligently discuss things I never even thought about before – D rings, capewell releases, Uranium, jet flight paths, pressure bumps, MVAC machines….

And yet, where are we? While I still hold out just a glimmer of hope this case will ultimately be solved, at this point I sadly remain exactly where I was the first time I watched “Unsolved

Mysteries” all those years ago. I have no idea who D.B. Cooper is! The case seems completely muddled, sadly confusing, mind boggling, mostly unclear and frighteningly mystifying. It’s completely impossible that every clue leads to a dead end, but here we are.

And yet, and yet, and yet...I am writing this blog, planning my next Facebook Live, checking the online forums, replying to those asking for a speaking engagement, leaving messages for possible witnesses, private messaging my Cooper buddies….

Yes, I am still Chasing Cooper. Let me know if you find him, we’ve got his tie he left on the

plane.

-Pat