D. B. Cooper is one of the most legendary figures in American criminal history. Known for hijacking a commercial airliner in 1971, parachuting into the wilderness with $200,000 in ransom money, and disappearing without a trace, Cooper remains the subject of countless investigations, documentaries, and conspiracy theories. More than five decades later, the question still persists: Is D. B. Cooper still alive?
This article offers a thorough and factual examination of what is known about D. B. Cooper, the circumstances of the hijacking, efforts to identify and capture him, and what experts believe about whether he might still be alive today.
Who Was D. B. Cooper?
The name D. B. Cooper is the alias used by an unidentified man who, on November 24, 1971, hijacked Northwest Orient Airlines Flight 305, a Boeing 727 traveling from Portland, Oregon, to Seattle, Washington.
The hijacker initially identified himself to airline staff as Dan Cooper, but a news reporting error led to the popularized moniker D. B. Cooper—a name that has stuck in public memory ever since.
To this day, his true identity remains unknown, and the case is considered the only unsolved airplane hijacking in U.S. history.
The Hijacking of Flight 305
On the afternoon of Thanksgiving Eve, 1971, Cooper boarded Flight 305 in Portland wearing a business suit, dark sunglasses, and a black tie. He ordered a drink and handed a flight attendant a note that read:
“Miss, I have a bomb in my briefcase. I want you to sit next to me.”
He then opened the case, revealing wires and cylindrical components that appeared to be dynamite.
Cooper’s Demands:
- $200,000 in cash (equivalent to over $1.4 million today)
- Four parachutes
- A fuel truck standing by in Seattle for refueling
After receiving the ransom upon landing in Seattle, he released the 36 passengers but kept the flight crew on board. He then directed them to fly toward Mexico City at a low altitude and slow speed.
At approximately 8:00 p.m., while the plane was in the air over southwestern Washington state, Cooper lowered the rear stairway of the Boeing 727 and parachuted into the night, taking the ransom with him.
The Immediate Aftermath and FBI Investigation
The FBI launched a massive manhunt, codenamed NORJAK (Northwest Hijacking), involving:
- Military aircraft and helicopters
- Thousands of personnel combing rugged terrain
- Detailed interviews and witness sketches
Despite an extensive investigation, no definitive trace of Cooper was ever found. He left behind no conclusive fingerprints, and no one saw him after he exited the plane.
The case would remain open for decades and attract both professional investigators and amateur sleuths from around the world.
Key Pieces of Evidence
Although Cooper vanished, some clues were eventually discovered:
Recovered Items:
- A clip-on tie and mother-of-pearl tie clasp, left on his seat
- Eight cigarette butts (which were discarded before DNA preservation techniques were available)
- $5,800 in decomposed $20 bills, found by a young boy named Brian Ingram on the Columbia River in 1980—matching the serial numbers of the ransom money
These discoveries narrowed the search area but did not lead to Cooper’s identity or confirm his survival.
Did D. B. Cooper Survive the Jump?
The most debated question in the Cooper case is whether he survived the jump.
Arguments That He Died:
- He jumped into a heavily forested, rainy area at night, in freezing temperatures
- He wore non-specialized clothing and loafers
- He lacked visible preparation for survival in harsh terrain
Arguments That He Survived:
- He was strategic and calm during the hijacking
- He chose the Boeing 727 specifically for its aft stairway, which could be lowered in-flight
- No body, parachute, or large amounts of money were ever recovered—suggesting he could have escaped undetected
The FBI has never confirmed his fate, and as of 2025, the question of whether he survived remains unanswered.
The Search for His Identity
Over the decades, investigators considered more than 1,000 suspects. Some of the most notable include:
1. Richard Floyd McCoy Jr.
- Hijacked a plane under similar conditions in 1972
- Used a parachute and left behind fingerprints
- Later killed in a shootout with the FBI
- Denied being Cooper, and key differences weakened the case against him
2. Kenneth Christiansen
- A former paratrooper and flight attendant
- Had knowledge of the 727 and lived near the suspected drop zone
- Circumstantial evidence exists, but no conclusive link
3. Robert Rackstraw
- Vietnam veteran and explosives expert
- His name surfaced in documentaries and books
- The FBI ultimately dismissed him as a suspect
None of these suspects were definitively proven to be D. B. Cooper. In 2016, the FBI officially closed the case, citing lack of new evidence.
Cultural Impact and Public Fascination
D. B. Cooper became a pop culture legend over the decades, featured in movies, books, songs, and TV series. His story is widely seen as one of the great modern American mysteries.
Appearances in Pop Culture:
- Referenced in Prison Break, Loki, and Without a Paddle
- Multiple documentaries and podcasts explore the mystery
- Annual D. B. Cooper Days Festival held in Ariel, Washington
He has become a symbol of anti-establishment rebellion and calculated daring, romanticized despite his crime.
Could D. B. Cooper Still Be Alive in 2025?
If D. B. Cooper survived the 1971 jump, he would likely have been in his mid-40s at the time, suggesting he would now be in his late 90s.
Possibilities:
- If alive, Cooper would be among the oldest living fugitives in history
- If deceased, his identity may be known only through posthumous discovery or deathbed confession
- No conclusive DNA match, body, or confession has ever confirmed either scenario
Despite decades of interest and theories, the question remains unresolved, and his fate continues to intrigue researchers and the public alike.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is D. B. Cooper still alive in 2025?
His status remains unknown. If he survived the hijacking in 1971, he would now be in his late 90s. No evidence has surfaced to confirm whether he is alive or deceased.
Was D. B. Cooper ever identified?
No. Despite extensive investigation, the true identity of D. B. Cooper has never been confirmed.
Did D. B. Cooper survive the jump?
It is unknown. The FBI believes it is unlikely due to weather conditions and terrain, but others argue he planned the jump and could have survived.
How much money did he steal?
D. B. Cooper received $200,000 in ransom money. Only $5,800 has ever been recovered.
Is the FBI still investigating the case?
The FBI officially closed the case in 2016, although private investigators and journalists continue to explore leads.
Where was the ransom money found?
In 1980, a boy found $5,800 in decayed $20 bills on the Columbia River, matching the serial numbers from the ransom.
Conclusion
So, is D. B. Cooper still alive? No one truly knows. Over 50 years after he vanished into the stormy skies over the Pacific Northwest, Cooper’s fate remains one of the greatest unsolved mysteries in American history.
Whether he perished in the wilderness or lived out his life under a new identity, D. B. Cooper has become a permanent fixture in U.S. folklore—a mysterious figure who challenged the system, vanished without a trace, and left behind a trail of questions that remain unanswered to this day.
In 2025, his story continues to inspire curiosity, theories, and debates. Until definitive evidence emerges, the world may never know the truth about what happened to the man known only as D. B. Cooper.