Clues Podcast Summary: Episode "INFAMOUS: D.B. Cooper"

Hosted by Morgan Absher and Kaelyn Moore | Crime House Original | Released May 14, 2025

I. Introduction to the D.B. Cooper Case

In this gripping episode of Clues, hosts Morgan Absher and Kayla Moore delve into one of America's most enduring mysteries: the infamous hijacking by D.B. Cooper. Set against the backdrop of the early 1970s—a time when airplane security was virtually nonexistent—the episode unpacks the intricate details of Cooper's daring escape with $200,000 in ransom money.

Morgan Absher sets the stage at [02:01], stating:

"In 1971, a man in a suit boarded a flight, handed the stewardess a note, and by the end of the night, he vanished with $200,000 in cash. No body, no parachute, absolutely no trace."

II. The Hijacking Details

The hijacking took place on November 24, 1971, aboard Northwest Orient Airlines Flight 305 from Portland to Seattle. Cooper, using the name "Dan Cooper," meticulously planned his heist, ensuring minimal traceability.

Kayla Moore describes Cooper's appearance and initial actions:

"He was wearing a business suit with a white shirt and a skinny black clip-on tie... He also carried a bag that was described as looking like a briefcase."

Key moments include Cooper handing a note to Flight Attendant Florence Schaffner at [12:30], revealing his bomb threat:

"Miss, I have a bomb in my briefcase. I want you to sit next to me."

Demonstrating strategic foresight, Cooper demanded four parachutes and $200,000 in $20 bills, ensuring the authorities could not supply dummy parachutes that would end his plan disastrously.

III. Examination of Clues

As the crew prepared to meet Cooper's demands, several clues emerged:

• Parachute Selection: Cooper left behind a dummy parachute marked with a big "X" and selected a military-grade parachute himself, indicating his familiarity with parachuting equipment ([34:55]).

• Tactical Behavior: Despite the high-stress situation, Cooper remained composed, even taking precautionary measures such as collecting matchbooks to eliminate physical evidence ([16:03]).

Notably, Cooper's precise knowledge of the Boeing 727's aft airstair system ([24:10]) and his ability to communicate specific flight adjustments highlighted his expertise and possible aviation background.

IV. Possible Suspects and Theories

The mystery deepened with numerous suspects and theories:

• Richard Floyd McCoy: A Vietnam veteran and former paratrooper who hijacked a similar Boeing 727 in 1972. Although similarities exist, discrepancies in age and alibis led the FBI to consider him a likely copycat rather than Cooper himself ([49:19]).

• Deathbed Confessions: Several individuals, including Walter Reka and Dwayne, came forward claiming to be Cooper on their deathbeds. However, inconsistencies in their stories and physical descriptions cast doubt on their claims ([58:46]).

• Kenneth Christensen: A former Northwest Orient Airlines flight attendant and paratrooper who surfaced as a suspect due to his background. Despite initial suspicions, he was eventually ruled out by the FBI ([57:25]).

V. Subsequent Developments and Modern Analysis

Decades later, the case remains unsolved, but modern technology has offered new avenues for investigation:

• DNA Analysis: Recent efforts to extract and analyze DNA from Cooper's discarded tie have introduced potential leads, though confirmations remain pending ([59:26]).

• Recovered Money: In 1980, an eight-year-old discovered stacks of rotting $20 bills near the Columbia River, some of which matched the ransom money's serial numbers. This finding reignited interest but ultimately led to dead ends due to environmental factors and possible misplacement ([53:56]).

• New Evidence: In March 2025, amateur sleuths made strides by identifying elemental compositions on Cooper's tie that could link him to specific metal supply chains within the aerospace industry. While promising, conclusive evidence is still elusive ([60:50]).

VI. Discussion and Conclusion

In their concluding discussions, Morgan and Kayla weigh the likelihood of Cooper's survival versus his demise during the jump:

Morgan Absher posits:

"I don't think he died. I think there's a solid chance DB made it out and rode into the sunset and took that money somewhere else that didn't get put back in circulation."

Conversely, Kayla Moore reflects on the plausibility of Cooper losing his life on the jump:

"He would splat. So I covered a case where... She survived a 10,000-foot fall out of an airplane, but without a parachute."

Ultimately, the hosts express skepticism towards major suspects like McCoy and maintain that Cooper remains an enigmatic figure, possibly still alive and eluding capture. They encourage listeners to engage with their theories and continue the collective pursuit of uncovering the truth behind D.B. Cooper's legendary escape.

Kayla Moore invites listener participation:

"So I have to ask you, what do you think happened? Who do you think did it?"

Morgan Absher adds:

"We want to know what suspect do you think is the most likely? I want to know how you think it happened, what they're doing today, what their phone number is so we can talk to them."

For more detailed discussions and intriguing true crime cases, tune into the next episode of Clues on YouTube or your preferred podcast platform.