Interview of Jane Miller re Merlin Eugene Cooper

FD-302 (REV. 3-10-82)

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FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

- 1 - Date of transcription 10/6/88

JANE MILLER, residence 370 Monroe, Umatilla, Oregon, telephone number (503) 922-5413, advised that MERLIN EUGENE COOPER lived with her for about one and one-half years. She characterised him as a very pleasant individual. She advised that his first marriage had made him, "Off his rocker," and that he did odd things at different times. She advised that he had lost track of himself mentally.

MILLER advised that she had hired COOPER to help her with a service station in Hillsboro, Oregon, after her husband passed away.

After he started living with her, MILLER advised that sometimes they were apart several days at a time.

MILLER advised that COOPER golfed. She advised that he had been in the service and worked in air traffic control, managing a tower. She advised that he knew about bringing airplanes in and sending them out.

MILLER described COOPER as follows:

Name MERLIN EUGENE COOPER Race White Sex Male Nationality American Age In his forties Height 6'2" or 6'3" Build Medium, slender, well proportioned Hair Medium brown; could not recall how he parted his hair Facial Hair Sideburns

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Investigation on 3/10/88 at Umatilla, Oregon File # PD 164A-41-/975

by SA SAMUEL A. MC PHETERS SAM Date dictated 3/10/88 b6 b7C

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.

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DB Cooper-43717

FD-302a (Rev. 11-15-83)

PD 164A-41

Continuation of FD-302 of JANE MILLER , On 3/10/87 , Page - 2 -

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Eyes Unrecalled Voice Pleasant, medium range Dress Casual Complexion Fair Characteristics Spent most of his leisure time painting; smoked cigarettes, but not a great deal, although he may have smoked more when he was not around her

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MILLER advised that she thought he was working for her on November 24, 1971, at a place near Hermiston, Oregon. MILLER advised that COOPER showed her an article in the paper about the D.B. COOPER hijacking, saying, "Well, for heaven's sake, look at this." MILLER advised that she was baking something and said, "I'll look at it later." The interviewing Agent noted that MILLER had expressed some difficulty in stating any details as to her association with COOPER until she made this statement and suddenly she seemed to be somewhat protective and seemed to be very lucid, extraordinarily lucid, regarding her recollection of the statements made at breakfast when COOPER was supposed to have read out of the newpaper in 1971.

MILLER advised she did not think that COOPER would hijack anything, that he was not seemingly that type of person.

MILLER advised that COOPER painted for his leisure and would give his paintings away. She advised she could not recall when he left Hermiston, that he went to Oklahoma; she joined him later. He went to Tulsa, Oklahoma. They were together one and one-half years in Hermiston, and six months out in Oklahoma.

After they separated in Oklahoma, she never heard from him. She had heard that he had died in Muskogee, Oklahoma, but the police officers could not figure out what had happened. She advised she knew nothing about COOPER's finances.

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DB Cooper-43718

FD-302a (Rev. 11-15-83)

PD 164A-41

Continuation of FD-302 of JANE MILLER , On 3/10/88 , Page - 3 -

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MILLER denied that COOPER had ever been injured. She advised, though, that he had been in a bad car accident at one time when he wrecked her car. This was in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and he was in the hospital. This was some time before they were separated.

MILLER was shown a composite sketch of an individual referred to as D.B. COOPER that was published in newpapers in 1971. MILLER said the sketch looked nothing like MERLIN EUGENE COOPER. Again, MILLER seemed very protective of COOPER.

MILLER advised that after COOPER left, he sent his personal belongings to his mother who lives somewhere north of Chicago, Illinois.

MILLER advised that when he signed his paintings he would always print.

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DB Cooper-43719