Could Richard McCoy Jr., a Vietnam veteran and devout Mormon, be the man who finally cracked the code of the infamous D.B. Cooper case? The story of McCoy, who pulled off a daring skyjacking of his own in 1972, and his possible connection to Cooper, is a complex web of mystery, family secrets, and the allure of the unsolved.
The year was 1972. While the nation grappled with the aftermath of the Vietnam War and the burgeoning counterculture movement, another form of rebellion took flight: skyjacking. Richard Floyd McCoy Jr., a man who seemed an unlikely candidate for such a crime, hijacked a United Airlines passenger jet on April 7th, demanding a hefty ransom and executing a daring escape by parachute. This act would cement his place in history, forever linked to the enigma of D.B. Cooper.
The story of McCoy is a tale of contradictions. He was a decorated Vietnam veteran, a member of the National Guard, a Sunday school teacher, and a devoted Mormon who abstained from the vices of the world, including coffee, alcohol, cigarettes, and gambling. Yet, he was also a man who orchestrated a meticulously planned skyjacking, echoing the audacious actions of the infamous D.B. Cooper, a man who had vanished into the night just months prior.
| Bio Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Richard Floyd McCoy Jr. |
| Born | Approximately 1941 (estimated) |
| Died | November 9, 1974, Virginia Beach, Virginia |
| Burial | Mark Hebrew McCoy Family Cemetery, Cove City, Craven County, North Carolina |
| Marital Status | Married to Karen McCoy |
| Children | Chant and Richard McCoy III (Rick McCoy) |
| Military Service | Vietnam Veteran, served as a demolition expert and pilot |
| Religious Affiliation | Devout Mormon |
| Education | Attended Brigham Young University (dropped out) |
| Crime | Hijacking of United Airlines Flight 855 on April 7, 1972 |
| Ransom Demanded | $500,000 |
| Outcome | Captured, found guilty, sentenced to 45 years in prison, escaped and killed in a shootout with FBI agents. |
On April 7, 1972, McCoy's plan unfolded. He boarded a United Airlines flight from Denver to Los Angeles. Once airborne, he presented a hand grenade and a firearm, claiming he had a bomb. He demanded $500,000 and four parachutes. The plane landed in Los Angeles, where the ransom was delivered and the passengers were released. McCoy then ordered the pilots to fly to Provo, Utah, near his hometown. As the plane descended, he leaped out with the money and a parachute, disappearing into the night. He landed safely and seemingly vanished.
The similarities between McCoy's actions and the infamous D.B. Cooper case are striking. Cooper, whose true identity remains one of the greatest mysteries in American history, hijacked a Northwest Orient Airlines flight in November 1971, demanding a ransom and parachuting out of the plane over the Pacific Northwest. Both men targeted passenger jets for ransom, both used parachutes to escape, and both seemingly vanished into thin air. The timing of McCoy's crime, just months after Cooper's, has fueled speculation for decades.
McCoy was not as fortunate as Cooper. He was eventually caught, arrested six months after the skyjacking. He was convicted and sentenced to 45 years in prison. However, he escaped from a federal penitentiary. His freedom was short-lived, and he was killed in a shootout with FBI agents in Virginia Beach, Virginia, on November 9, 1974.
Years later, the story of Richard McCoy Jr. has taken a new turn, fueled by the claims of his children, Chant and Richard "Rick" McCoy III. They believe their father may have been D.B. Cooper. In 2020, after the death of their mother, Karen McCoy, they began to share their suspicions, claiming she had confessed to helping their father plan the heist.
Rick McCoy III has been in frequent communication with the FBI, providing DNA samples for testing against any remaining evidence in the Cooper case. This renewed focus on McCoy has brought the story back into the public eye, creating a potential lead in the enduring Cooper case. The discovery of a parachute rig and canopy belonging to Richard McCoy II at his family's property in Cove City, North Carolina, further connected McCoy to the Cooper case.
The role of Karen McCoy is also central to this new narrative. Karen McCoy, the widow of Richard McCoy, revealed for the first time her involvement in her husband's skyjacking. She admitted that she bought the parachute, helped him prepare his disguise, and typed the instructions that would be given to the crew of Flight 855. This revelation adds a layer of complexity to the story and suggests that McCoy's meticulous plan was a family affair.
Two former federal agents, Russel Calame and Bernie Rhodes, even wrote a book, "D.B. Cooper: The Real McCoy," in 1991. The authors proposed that McCoy was the infamous D.B. Cooper, citing similarities in their backgrounds and the timing of their respective crimes. While the FBI has never officially confirmed this, McCoy's case has kept alive the possibility of identifying the man behind the mystery.
The D.B. Cooper case remains the only unsolved skyjacking in the nation's history. Despite numerous investigations, the identity of the man who jumped out of a plane with a parachute and a bag of money remains unknown. The recent claims and evidence linked to Richard McCoy Jr. have reopened the case, reigniting the debate over Cooper's identity. Was McCoy a copycat, a man inspired by Cooper's daring act, or could he have been the original skyjacker himself?
The story of Richard McCoy Jr. is a testament to the allure of the unknown and the enduring power of a well-executed plan. Even in death, McCoy remains a fascinating figure, a man who defied societal norms and walked a tightrope between the law and the lure of the impossible. Whether he was the D.B. Cooper or not, his story continues to captivate, reminding us of the mysteries that still linger in the annals of history.
In the realm of unsolved mysteries, the D.B. Cooper case stands as a beacon of intrigue. Decades after the infamous skyjacking, the identity of the man who parachuted from a plane with a bag of ransom money continues to elude investigators. However, the name Richard Floyd McCoy Jr. has once again surfaced, stirring renewed interest in the possibility that he might be the key to unlocking the Cooper enigma.
Richard McCoy Jr., a man of seemingly ordinary background, was a Vietnam veteran, a devout Mormon, and a family man. He led a life defined by discipline, faith, and a respect for the law. But in April 1972, this facade shattered when he executed a daring skyjacking of a United Airlines passenger jet, demanding a $500,000 ransom and making a parachute escape near Provo, Utah. This audacious act mirrored the actions of D.B. Cooper, a man who had vanished into the Pacific Northwest skies just months earlier.
The connection between McCoy and Cooper is undeniable. Both hijacked passenger jets, both demanded substantial sums of money, and both employed parachutes to make their daring escapes. The timing of McCoy's crime, occurring merely months after Cooper's, adds another layer of intrigue to the story. Did McCoy attempt to replicate Cooper's act, or was there a deeper, more complex connection between the two men?
McCoy's story is marked by a series of ironies. He lived a life of religious devotion, abstaining from vices like alcohol and gambling, yet he committed a crime that would forever define him. His background as a Vietnam veteran, skilled in demolition and piloting, may have provided him with the expertise needed to plan and execute his daring skyjacking.
The investigation of Richard McCoy Jr. has led to the uncovering of deep family secrets and unexpected revelations. In 2020, after the passing of his mother, Karen McCoy, Richard's children, Chant and Richard "Rick" McCoy III, came forward with startling allegations. They claimed that their mother had confessed to assisting their father in plotting the Cooper heist, further cementing McCoy's potential connection to the infamous case.
Rick McCoy III has actively engaged with the FBI, supplying DNA samples for analysis against any remaining evidence from the Cooper case. His unwavering determination has reignited interest in the mystery, pushing the boundaries of this long-dormant investigation. The recent discovery of a harness and canopy belonging to Richard McCoy II at his family's property in Cove City, North Carolina, further fuels the link between McCoy and Cooper.
Furthermore, the role of Karen McCoy has emerged as a focal point in this captivating narrative. Her candid revelations, made during a hearing in 3rd district court, unveiled her comprehensive involvement in her husband's 1972 skyjacking. She admitted to purchasing the parachute, assisting with her husband's disguise, and typing the instructions that were given to the crew of Flight 855. This extraordinary admission adds another layer of complexity to the story, hinting at a meticulously orchestrated family affair.
The parallels between McCoy and D.B. Cooper are striking. Both men targeted passenger jets, both demanded significant ransoms, and both used parachutes to escape. The mere proximity in time of the crimes raises the possibility that one was inspired by the other. Or, could it be that they were one and the same?
The death of Richard McCoy Jr., in a shootout with FBI agents in Virginia Beach, Virginia, added a tragic twist to the tale. His untimely demise, along with his earlier conviction and subsequent escape, further obscured the truth. His case has become a symbol of the enduring enigma of D.B. Cooper.
The book "D.B. Cooper: The Real McCoy," written by former federal agents Russel Calame and Bernie Rhodes, offers a compelling argument that Richard McCoy Jr. was, in fact, D.B. Cooper. They highlighted similarities in their backgrounds and the timing of their respective crimes. Though the FBI has not confirmed this theory, it has helped to keep the possibility alive.
The D.B. Cooper case remains the only unsolved skyjacking in the nation's history. The mystery man's identity and fate continue to intrigue and captivate. However, the claims of Richard McCoy Jr.'s children and the evidence that has emerged recently have reopened the debate over Cooper's identity. Was McCoy a copycat, attempting to emulate Cooper's daring act, or was he the man who plunged into the unknown?
The enduring mystery of D.B. Cooper serves as a stark reminder of the many secrets hidden in the fabric of history. As the investigation continues, the question of Richard McCoy Jr.'s connection to D.B. Cooper may be answered, forever changing the landscape of aviation history.
The search for answers in the D.B. Cooper case continues, and the story of Richard Floyd McCoy Jr., a man who once attempted to mimic the infamous skyjacker, continues to spark debate. McCoy's story provides a fascinating case study for understanding the allure of criminal enterprise and the enduring power of myth and legend.
