Interview of WXIA-TV Atlanta employee re letter signed 'D. B. Cooper', with letter and envelope

FD-302 (REV. 3-8-77)

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

1 Date of transcription 2/14/80

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[redacted], WXIA TV, 1611 West Peachtree Street, furnished the following information:

He made available an original letter which is typewritten and addressed to him, dated December 31, 1979, which is signed D. B. Cooper.

He also made available the envelope containing this letter and a 3 x 5 card which was enclosed with the letter and bearing the numbers "5346225496754."

He stated that he received this letter several weeks ago and felt upon reading the letter that the writer was not actually D. B. Cooper, a skyjacker, and he based this assumption on the fact that the writer stated the skyjacking occurred in 1969, which is erroneous. He stated that he was making this letter available in view of the recent publicity concerning D. B. Cooper.

Xerox copies of this letter and the envelope and 3 x 5 card are as follows:

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Investigation on 2/13/80 at Atlanta, Georgia File # AT 164-642

by SA [redacted] /lwg Date dictated 2/14/80

This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. It is the property of the FBI and is loaned to your agency; it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency. DB Cooper-17589

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[guess: S] 16-1-81-8292

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[REDACTED] WXIA-TV 1611 W. Peachtree St. Atlanta, GA 30309

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December 31, 1979

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Dear [REDACTED],

First, let me assure you: I am D.B. Cooper, the individual who completed the skyjacking in 1969. Of course, you -- and any of your colleagues -- may choose to disbelieve this: our society is comprised of individuals who, strangely enough, believe in that which is untrue, disbelieve in that which is fact.

Nevertheless, I have decided that it is time for a bit of communica- tion. Somewhat rather smugly observing the minor fanfare my ten- year anniversary caused in the media this November, I suddenly realized that I wanted people to know I was still alive -- and that I had, in fact, successfully eluded the police and lived -- very nicely, I might add -- on the proceeds of my adventure.

I moved to Atlanta more than five years ago and began watching your newscasts. You seemed to have a "no-nonsense" approach to . the news which I can appreciate -- and thus, when I finally decided to communicate w/ the outside world, you appeared the natural choice.

I'd like to clear up two items concerning my little event. First, I did it for the sheer sake of adventure, nothing more. And this adventure was both a mental & physical challange -- which leads me to my second item: how I eluded the police. While I shall not detail the incident -- at least not now -- I will say that it was a simple case of using simplicity when everyone else concentrated on complexity. If the police ever do discover how I did it, they will feel a bit foolish. And I even left a bit of a clue, which still remains in the area: I was back there this past summer.

[REDACTED] you have a wonderful city and I have enjoyed my stay. I own a house in the city and am delighted with the many cultural opportunities here. Indeed, I hope to remain in Atlanta for at least a few more years.

Again, whether or not you believe this is "the real thing" does not concern me. I am very much aware that it is & simply wished a bit of communication with the outside world. I might call you sometime in the future ... and if so, I have enclosed an index card with something typed on it: when I call, I will identify myself by what has been typed. In addition, you can be assured of only one "authentic" D.B. Cooper.

I wish you a Happy New Year and thank you for this opportunity to communicate after 10 years...

D.B. Cooper

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DB Cooper 17590

5346225496754

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D. B. Cooper

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[redacted] WXIA-TV 1611 W. Peachtree St. Atlanta, GA 30309

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PERSONAL & CONFIDENTIAL

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DB Cooper-17591

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