The decades-old mystery of D.B. Cooper, the man who hijacked a commercial airliner and vanished with $200,000, has resurfaced with the release of newly declassified FBI files. These documents reveal a previously unknown suspect: a former pilot from western Maine named Raymond Sidney Russell.
Russell, who also went by R. Sid Russell and Sid Russell, was interviewed by the FBI in September 1972, just months after the audacious November 1971 hijacking. He had a background steeped in aviation, having served in the military and later flown for the Flying Tigers and other freight airlines.
The files don’t detail what initially drew the FBI’s attention to Russell, but agents meticulously reviewed his history. During the interview at his Maine home, Russell firmly denied any involvement, claiming he’d returned to the state months before the hijacking to care for his ailing mother.
Investigators spoke to people who knew Russell, and opinions were divided. Some believed he possessed the skills and temperament to pull off the daring crime, while others dismissed the possibility. The ambiguity clearly wasn’t enough to sustain the investigation for long.
A chilling handwritten note within the FBI file, dated November 1972, succinctly states: “ELIMINATE RUSSELL.” This single phrase marks the end of the bureau’s pursuit of this particular lead, leaving his connection to the case shrouded in uncertainty.
Ryan Burns, a criminal defense attorney and dedicated D.B. Cooper researcher who hosts the YouTube channel "D.B. Cooper Sleuth," has meticulously reviewed all released FBI files. He describes the case as “the coolest crime ever,” captivated by the image of a cool, collected hijacker enjoying bourbon and cigarettes while successfully evading capture.
Burns, while acknowledging Russell as a serious person of interest, doesn’t believe he was Cooper. He points to discrepancies between Russell’s physical characteristics and the descriptions provided by witnesses on the flight. He also expresses a growing pessimism about ever solving the case, citing the potential loss of crucial DNA evidence over time.
Beyond his aviation career, Russell was a notable figure in his community. He excelled as a high school skier and later received a $5,000 state grant for an invention in the late 1980s. He passed away in 1989 and is buried in Paris, Maine, his secrets taking root with him.
The FBI has redacted the names of those interviewed regarding Russell, protecting the privacy of witnesses and acquaintances. Despite the passage of over five decades, the D.B. Cooper case continues to ignite the public imagination, inspiring countless books, films, and relentless amateur sleuthing.
The identity of the man who brazenly hijacked a plane and disappeared into the vastness of the Pacific Northwest remains a tantalizing mystery. The released files offer a glimpse into the exhaustive investigation, but the ultimate answer continues to elude those who seek to unravel the legend of D.B. Cooper.
