Author Topic: Suspects And Confessions  (Read 1293196 times)

Offline Prospector

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 85
  • Thanked: 7 times
Re: Suspects And Confessions
« Reply #4335 on: April 05, 2020, 02:30:18 PM »
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
I have mixed feeling about DB Cooper, or rather I consider his status a s folk hero in conflicted ways.

On one hand, he was bold and innovative. That I can champion.

Beating the man, is also an achievement I admire.

But stealing an airplane and threatening to kill people - now that's unacceptable.

Food for thought:

It is very likely that the vast majority of people who have put some thought into the COOPER affair would agree with your statement that he was bold.  It could then be assumed that an already bold individual would become further emboldened by accomplishing a successful mission and escaping capture.  When his relative age at the time of the crime and his observed mannerisms as described by the witnesses and FBI are taken into consideration, how might that emboldened individual with a grudge behave in the public sphere after the passage of time?  How might he behave in his eighties as the hard reality of his own looming transience sets-in?
 

Offline Prospector

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 85
  • Thanked: 7 times
Re: Suspects And Confessions
« Reply #4336 on: April 06, 2020, 02:17:23 PM »
When one embarks on a journey to understand a mystery, it is soon learned that one must rely on instinct and hunches.  Theories may be formulated and revised as conflicting information is sifted through and sources are vetted.  The cooper mystery is ripe with conflicting information as is evidenced by even a cursory review of publicly released information that is specific to the deed.  One thing that remains consistent in the numerous sources of information that are available to researchers, is that it is not unheard of for the perpetrator of a crime to ‘insert’ themselves into an investigation.  This is done to gather intelligence as to the progress of the hunt.  This is, of course, somewhat difficult to do and certain conditions must exist in order for the strategy to be employed.  So called ‘investigations’ that exist in publically accessed discussion forums such as this one are easily infiltrated and a presence may be established with ease to gather information, but also to sway the course of the ‘investigation’. 

Many people come and go here on these cooper forums, each brings a unique angle to the table, some speak in absolute terms, others in a subjective sense.  Theories are floated, suspects are identified, and some are found guilty of the crime.  No one angle is any better or worse than the other, because it is a mystery, and that’s what understanding mysteries is all about.  Not to state the obvious, but dirt diggin’ prospector pursues the theory that he walks amongst us to this day and would make an effort to follow his press and ‘insert’ himself into the ‘investigation’.  From this perspective, the approach is to try to interpret behavioral clues he left behind, extrapolate from other perpetrators that had been captured and studied, and to follow gut instinct where it leads.

Two of the many things that cooper could not have planned for in the early 1970’s are DNA technologies and the internet.  Ultimately, it is likely this case is now driven by DNA, and any suspect, living or dead, would be gauged against this metric as to their culpability.  The modern internet allows researchers to access reams of uploaded information and to communicate with one another from the comfort of their home computer.  Both are very powerful tools working against cooper.  He would have no power and control over the use of DNA technologies by the authorities and could not block uploaded information from falling into the possession of researchers.  He could, however, easily use it to access discussion forums like this, establish some kind of presence, and play with his puppets as he wished.  Like BTK though, he may not have the full intellectual capacity to understand what exact information may be shared by computers when data is shared.  There might be wolves in the trees looking for him. 

If cooper is alive and toying with you now, it would most certainly be a bold thing to do.  With his lifelong lust for power and control, it is likely that he would not be satisfied to sit on the sidelines and cheer on the players, but he’d get into the game.  It would require that he not only was willing to lie, but capable to spin a convincing tale that would suck people into his world.  It would have been a mandatory requirement for him to be a pathological liar to be skillful at manipulating people in face to face contacts to successfully live among them and remain undetected.  It would be much easier to do when he would exist as merely words on a computer screen on a discussion forum and this may enhance his boldness.  Unfortunately for him, there are some techniques that may be used to filter for lies, one being looking for contradictions or inconsistencies in what is said. 

Whoever cooper is, if alive, he is an old man counting the days before his ultimate relinquishment of power and control arrives when the Reaper knocks upon his door.  None of his cozy connections will be of any assistance, and his absolute loss of power and control over what exists beyond the moment of death - is it nothing, or is it something - is entirely beyond his ability to influence.  This must be a difficult thing for an individual who has had such success with manipulation, power, and control over his life, quite literally – giving it all up.  Everybody who is capable of lucid thought ponders this moment of uncertainty, even psychopaths who are to a large extent devoid of a ‘normal’ range of human emotion.  I think it was Bundy whose knees gave out on him as he was led into the chamber.  These thoughts may be creeping into his online persona, especially with such an insidious virus preying on the elderly.

Poor cooper, lots of insults hurled his way lately from the inner chamber of his shrine.  Probably makes him and his admirers a little hot under the collar when he is referred to as a bag-of-shit.  A bold old codger with a grudge who has nothing to lose would strike-out at the disrespectful troublemaker, wouldn’t he?  His admirers certainly would.
 

Offline georger

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3182
  • Thanked: 467 times
Re: Suspects And Confessions
« Reply #4337 on: April 06, 2020, 02:29:46 PM »
IS THIS A THREAT! ?  ...  against members of this forum and Cooper researchers in general ? :nono:
« Last Edit: April 06, 2020, 03:14:41 PM by georger »
 

Offline haggarknew

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 250
  • Thanked: 46 times
Re: Suspects And Confessions
« Reply #4338 on: April 21, 2020, 07:55:36 AM »
So who are these people that admire him? Are you one of them Prospector?
 

Offline haggarknew

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 250
  • Thanked: 46 times
Re: Suspects And Confessions
« Reply #4339 on: June 16, 2020, 08:42:34 AM »
As per my last post... Having reread your last post several times Prospector I believe I owe you an apology. At first I interpreted your last post as ominous and somewhat threatening but after rereading it several times I see now I was mistaken. For this and my response I apologize Prospector. I actually find your last post very well thought out and interesting. I also believe if Cooper is still alive that he would somehow be involved in this forum. Hager often stressed how dangerous "Cooper" was. He cautioned me to very careful. It's on my mind often.                   I do apologize again and would love to discuss this further.
 

Offline Bruce A. Smith

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4365
  • Thanked: 465 times
    • The Mountain News
Re: Suspects And Confessions
« Reply #4340 on: June 16, 2020, 09:24:32 PM »
New clues in the Walter Reca story

I've been working on the 3rd Edition of my book on DBC, and I just finished the Walter Reca chapter. I thought y'all would be interested to see the expanded view of Mr. Peca/Reca.

You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
 

Offline georger

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3182
  • Thanked: 467 times
Re: Suspects And Confessions
« Reply #4341 on: June 17, 2020, 05:01:47 AM »
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
New clues in the Walter Reca story

I've been working on the 3rd Edition of my book on DBC, and I just finished the Walter Reca chapter. I thought y'all would be interested to see the expanded view of Mr. Peca/Reca.

You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login

Odds in 1971 were 3.761 billion to one it was Recca!   :nono:  Today the odds are even less. Its social media nonsense.
« Last Edit: June 17, 2020, 05:06:32 AM by georger »
 

Offline Bruce A. Smith

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4365
  • Thanked: 465 times
    • The Mountain News
Re: Suspects And Confessions
« Reply #4342 on: June 17, 2020, 07:02:06 PM »
I don't think Reca was DB Cooper.

The bigger story is what was Walter Reca doing in the woods of Cle Elum, WA on November 24, 1971.

An even bigger story is why Vern Jones, Carl Laurin, Jeff Oh-Side-Itch aren't investigating that development.

I plan on heading that way in the near future to ask, except that Covid is spiking in that neck o' the woods these days....
 

Offline Bruce A. Smith

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4365
  • Thanked: 465 times
    • The Mountain News
Re: Suspects And Confessions
« Reply #4343 on: June 17, 2020, 07:04:08 PM »
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
New clues in the Walter Reca story

I've been working on the 3rd Edition of my book on DBC, and I just finished the Walter Reca chapter. I thought y'all would be interested to see the expanded view of Mr. Peca/Reca.

You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login

Odds in 1971 were 3.761 billion to one it was Recca!   :nono:  Today the odds are even less. Its social media nonsense.

G, your math might be off a tad. I don't think you have properly factored in transgender folks and sexually reassigned sky divers, ala Barb and the Gang...
 

Offline Bruce A. Smith

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4365
  • Thanked: 465 times
    • The Mountain News
Re: Suspects And Confessions
« Reply #4344 on: June 17, 2020, 07:05:10 PM »
More to the point, G, what do you think Walter Reca was doing in Cle Elum on 11. 24. 71?
 

Offline Parrotheadvol

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 608
  • Thanked: 140 times
Re: Suspects And Confessions
« Reply #4345 on: June 17, 2020, 11:04:45 PM »
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
More to the point, G, what do you think Walter Reca was doing in Cle Elum on 11. 24. 71?

Isn't it possible that Reca was in Cle Elum some other time, and just incorporated that into his DB Cooper tale? Yeah, the Cowboy remembers him, but does he remember it as being 11.24.71? I can see him remembering the meeting, but not the date. That's my take anyway. It's a few days late Bruce, but happy birthday to your mother...cherish every moment!
 

Offline georger

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3182
  • Thanked: 467 times
Re: Suspects And Confessions
« Reply #4346 on: June 17, 2020, 11:40:49 PM »
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
New clues in the Walter Reca story

I've been working on the 3rd Edition of my book on DBC, and I just finished the Walter Reca chapter. I thought y'all would be interested to see the expanded view of Mr. Peca/Reca.

You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login

Odds in 1971 were 3.761 billion to one it was Recca!   :nono:  Today the odds are even less. Its social media nonsense.

G, your math might be off a tad. I don't think you have properly factored in transgender folks and sexually reassigned sky divers, ala Barb and the Gang...

Funny!   :rofl:
 

Offline Bruce A. Smith

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4365
  • Thanked: 465 times
    • The Mountain News
Re: Suspects And Confessions
« Reply #4347 on: June 18, 2020, 03:54:53 AM »
Thanks, Parrot. Yeah, confusion on the date might be a factor. One more reason to talk with Jeff and probe the issue.
 

Offline 377

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1596
  • Thanked: 442 times
Re: Suspects And Confessions
« Reply #4348 on: June 18, 2020, 11:46:59 AM »
Answers. 

Questions about the "X" on the dummy chute that indicated it being a dummy chute....

1. Was the "X" a universal symbol that was used to mark dummy chutes as dummies? In other words, did every single parachute company/jump facility use an "X" to mark their dummy chutes?
Or was the "X" not universal and some places used an "X" while other places used some other type of marking?

Not universal. But used a lot in sport parachuting. I saw some that had no X and were just spray painted with a bright color such as red or orange.

2. If the "X" was indeed a universal marking, when did it become so?

Not universal.

3. Did the military have their own way of marking dummy chutes? If the "X" was used in the civilian parachuting world, did the military also use the "X" or did they have their own type of marking?

Not sure. Perhaps someone more knowledgeable can chime in.

4. Was the dummy chute that Cooper took a military dummy or a sport dummy? (I believe I once read that it was a military chute, like the main chute he used. But wanted to verify)

AFAIK it was a military reserve container. In 1971 most were. Sport reserve containers were vastly more expensive and offered little advantage beyond better color cosmetics.

I know there are a couple experienced skydivers here that I'm hoping might be able to answer these questions. Thanks in advance.
 
« Last Edit: June 18, 2020, 11:47:43 AM by 377 »
 

Offline RaoulDuke24

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 171
  • Thanked: 35 times
Re: Suspects And Confessions
« Reply #4349 on: June 18, 2020, 12:06:28 PM »
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
Answers. 

Questions about the "X" on the dummy chute that indicated it being a dummy chute....

1. Was the "X" a universal symbol that was used to mark dummy chutes as dummies? In other words, did every single parachute company/jump facility use an "X" to mark their dummy chutes?
Or was the "X" not universal and some places used an "X" while other places used some other type of marking?

Not universal. But used a lot in sport parachuting. I saw some that had no X and were just spray painted with a bright color such as red or orange.

2. If the "X" was indeed a universal marking, when did it become so?

Not universal.

3. Did the military have their own way of marking dummy chutes? If the "X" was used in the civilian parachuting world, did the military also use the "X" or did they have their own type of marking?

Not sure. Perhaps someone more knowledgeable can chime in.

4. Was the dummy chute that Cooper took a military dummy or a sport dummy? (I believe I once read that it was a military chute, like the main chute he used. But wanted to verify)

AFAIK it was a military reserve container. In 1971 most were. Sport reserve containers were vastly more expensive and offered little advantage beyond better color cosmetics.

I know there are a couple experienced skydivers here that I'm hoping might be able to answer these questions. Thanks in advance.

Thanks for chiming in.

Much has been made of Cooper selecting the dummy chute and if that indicates a lack of parachuting knowledge. I was wondering if the "X" was not a universal marking (as you say), is it then possible that Cooper could have indeed been a fairly somewhat experienced parachutist but had never before encountered a dummy marked with an "X?" In other words, what if his experience with dummy chutes all used a different marking like the bright color you mentioned.

If all of his jump experience took place at one particular drop zone, and that drop zone used a different marking for their dummy chutes...

If all of his jump experience took place in the military, and the military used a different marking for their dummy chutes...

If Cooper hadn't touched a parachute since 1963 (just throwing out a year here) and the "X" didn't start to be used until 1965...

Here's another question that maybe you can answer --- is it common for all parachutists to train with dummy chutes? Or are dummy chutes only used for very specific training scenarios? In other words, is it possible that Cooper never trained with a dummy chute at all and therefore was unlikely (or less likely) to recognize a dummy chute when he saw one? Is it pretty standard for dummy chutes to be used during training?

Also, I understand the container was sewn shut. Is it plainly obvious upon first glance when a container is sewn shut or does it take a closer look to notice this? Are the seams that are sewn together underneath a flap or fold (and therefore somewhat hidden from view) or are they plainly in view?

Thanks again.