To SAC Seattle: NORJAK case summary and file-handling guide (The Crime, Statute of Limitations, Unsolved Mysteries, Indexing, Reward, Filing of Serials, Le

Memorandum

To : SAC, SEATTLE (164A-SE-81) (P) Date 9/23/93

From : SA [REDACTED]

Subject: NORJAK OO: SEATTLE

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Re: 1. Seattle report of SA [REDACTED] dated 2/16/72 (Sub GG) (2351);

2. Seattle report of SA [REDACTED] dated 5/30/73 (Sub GG) (4729);

3. Seattle report of SA [REDACTED] dated 11/23/73 (Sub GG) (5070);

4. Seattle report of SA [REDACTED] dated 5/31/74-(Sub GG) (6258);

5. SA [REDACTED] memorandum, dated 8/4/72 (Sub K) (3741);

6. AUSA [REDACTED] letter to [REDACTED] dated 4/20/76 (Sub C) (6914), (Re Grand Jury Indictment).

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At a minimum it is recommended that a new NORJAK case agent review the above references.

ARMED AND DANGEROUS

RNN/bjr (2)

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C.C. 1 - Main 1 - Sub X

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[illegible initials] SEARCHED ✓ INDEXED ✓ SERIALIZED [illegible] FILED [illegible] SEP 2 7 1993 AFILE [illegible]

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DB Cooper-21073

The Crime

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On 11/24/71, the day before Thanksgiving, a lone white male boarded Northwest Orient flight 305 at Portland, Oregon. At approximately 3:22 p.m., while the flight was enroute to Seattle, Washington, he indicated to the stewardess that his briefcase contained a bomb, which would blow up the plane unless his demands were met.

The hijacker demanded $200,000 and four parachutes in exchange for the safety of the 36 passengers aboard the plane. When the aircraft landed at Seattle, Washington, Northwest Orient Airlines complied with his instructions. After he received the parachutes and money, the hijacker allowed all passengers and two airline stewardesses to deplane.

He then ordered the remaining crew members into the first-class section of the aircraft and informed them he desired to fly to Mexico City. The hijacker instructed that the plane proceed in a southerly direction and fly at a low altitude and slow speed, which would enable the rear door of the plane to be opened during the flight.

The hijacker apparently bailed out somewhere between Seattle, Washington, and Reno, Nevada, where the plane landed to refuel. It was determined the hijacker, two parachutes and the ransom money had disappeared when the plane was inspected at Reno, Nevada.

Artist's conception drawings of the aircraft hijacker were prepared by the FBI Exhibit Section and are considered a reasonable likeness. The black and white composite was prepared initially and sometime later, the color composite was prepared to depict the hijacker's complexion and age more graphically.

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The hijacker is described as follows:

Race: White Sex: Male Age: Mid-40's Height: 5'10" - 6' Weight: 170 to 180 lbs. Complexion: Olive, latin appearance, medium smooth. Hair: Dark brown or black, parted on the left, combed back. Eyes: Possibly brown; during the latter part of flight,

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DB Cooper-21074

the hijacker put on dark, wrap-around sunglasses with dark rims. Voice: Low, spoke intelligently, no particular accent. Characteristics: Smoked Raliegh filter- type cigarettes

Wearing Apparel: Black or brown suit; narrow black tie (clip-on type); black rain-type overcoat or dark topcoat; dark briefcase or attache case; carried a paper bag 4 x 12 x 14 inches; brown shoes.

Remarks: Very polite at all times

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AREA INVOLVED

Bounded on the west by US-5, on the south by the Columbia River, on the north by the Kalama River, and on the east by the Skamania-Clark County Line.

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WHAT TO LOOK FOR:

1. The remains of a man, possible dead for MANY years.

2. The remnants of a parachute harness or parachute shroud lines.

3. 10,000 twenty dollar bills wrapped in a parachute canopy, all serial numbers are known and can be identified.

4. Deteriorated raincoat or overcoat.

5. Small briefcase or attache case.

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LEADS:

1. TYPICAL - A relative or former friend resembles UNSUB and has had previous parachuting experience. In addition, he has "a lot of money" at about that time and he possibly said he was "D.B. COOPER" while drinking in a bar.

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3

DB Cooper-21075

Age differences or height differences between the suspect and UNSUB generally can disprove 95% of these leads.

2. NOT TYPICAL - Suspect is dead (See Sub 386 McCoy), and told witnesses he was "D.B. COOPER" (See 853 Coffelt). He also said he lost the money in the jump.

Age and height differences plus location on 11/24/71 or 11/25/71 can be useful in processing these suspects (Good Luck).

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DB Cooper-21076

164-SE-81

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D.B. COOPER VS DAN COOPER

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One of the first suspects in this case was [REDACTED] [REDACTED] aka D.B. Cooper. The press learned of this fact and printed this information, indicating that was the name UNSUB used aboard the aircraft. The actual name on the flight manifest was DAN COOPER.

Any potential suspect whose true last name is COOPER should be carefully scrutinized for possible elimination.

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b6 b7C

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DB Cooper-21080

STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS

The Statute of Limitations issue is addressed in Reference Number Six, AUSA [REDACTED] letter dated 4/20/76 (Serial 6914).

Despite this fact and direct orders by FBIHQ and DOJ, SA [REDACTED] indicted UNSUB in Portland in 1976. This is known as a John Doe Indictment and is of questionable legal value. (See my memo dated 2/5/76 (Sub JJ) (Serial 6841).)

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b6 b7C

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DB Cooper-21081

UNSOLVED MYSTERIES

Occasionally this crime is highlighted on Unsolved Mysteries.

The telephone calls fit into five categories:

1. SIGHTING - The caller had recently seen an indivdual resembling the artist's composite of UNSUB. (No lead) (15%)

2. RESEMBLANCE - The caller had an acquaintance who resembled the artist's composite of UNSUB. (No lead) (13%)

3. FORMER SUSPECT - The caller was suggesting a suspect that had been previously processed as a NORJAK suspect. (6%)

4. NEW SUSPECT - The caller was providing information on a new suspect. This information was dictated into Seattle File Number 164A-81 and appropriate leads have been set out. (4%)

5. NO LEAD - The caller did not provide any information of lead value. (68%)

Percentage figures represent average values and are for information purpose only.

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DB Cooper-21082

INDEXING

NORJAK currently maintains two indices. One manual indices located on the 6th Floor at the end of old manual indices. One automated, that contains indices data entered since the full implementation of FOIMS.

A separate memorandum has been dictated to have the manual indices entered into FOIMS.

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DB Cooper-21083

REWARD

A reward of 15% of any portion of the ransom money recovered has been offered in the past by Northwest Orient Airlines. Contact with NWOAL on a case-by-case basis should verify this or any additional rewards by them or their insurance company.

If it becomes necessary to offer a reward on a C.O.D. basis to obtain information, it is suggested that the Director's Airtel to All SAC's, dated 3/2/93 re FBI Reward Policy be consulted.

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DB Cooper-21085

FILING OF SERIALS

At least one copy of each communication must be serialized in the main file and extra copies are then routed to the appropriate lettered sub volume (See attached list).

All indexing is done to the main file serial number. Sub volumes are not serialized but are filed in approximate date order as they are received.

All indexing and routing is done by the case agent.

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DB Cooper-21087

LETTER SUB VOLUMES.

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SUB A 1A Exhibits B 1B Bulkies (formerly newspaper clippings - See Sub LL) C Publicity D Parachute Information E Search Area F Course G Evidence H Witnesses I Tapes and Films J Miscellaneous Persons K Artist Sketch L Airports, Flying Schools, Skydiving Clubs M Money N Transmitters O Daily Teletypes P Boeing Co. Technical Q FD-302's R Miscellaneous Letters S Expenses Involved in Search T Ticket U Weather and Wind V Flight Insurance W Reward Letters X Leads Y Maps Z Bureau Instructions AA Experimental Jump BB Missing Persons CC Search Personnel DD Complaints Resulting From Search EE Pilots Licenses FF Reward GG Reports HH Demonstration of Photographs II Norjak Conferences JJ Grand Jury KK Unsolved Mysteries LL Newspaper Clippings (Formerly Sub B)

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DB Cooper-21088