DB COOPER
General Category => DB Cooper => Topic started by: nmiwrecks on October 29, 2014, 04:31:00 PM
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Today, October 29th, is the 45th anniversary of the disappearance of Dick Lepsy. His car was found in the Cherry Capitol Airport parking lot in Traverse City, Michigan, unlocked, keys in the ignition and half a pack of cigarettes on the dash. He was never seen or heard from again.
Dick was a married father of four. He lived in Grayling Michigan, and was the manager of Glen’s Market grocery store. He was 33 years old when he vanished. If you find the time, please send the Lepsy family positive thoughts and prayers. Thank you.
Attached below are a photo of Dick Lepsy with wife Jackie, Christmas 1968 and Dick Lepsy with daughter Lisa, circa 1965.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbKZsQfzDSo
Added 11/26/2014
Attached is the image of a couple photos of Dick Lepsy sandwiching the FBI Cooper sketch B. I'm not saying Lepsy is Cooper, nor am I saying there is any known connection between the two cases other than a possible resemblance of Lepsy and the FBI sketches.
Added 12/15/2014
http://www.michiganmysteries.com/#/dick-lepsy-vs-dbcooper/4587446203
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I noticed on the description page they didn't have a verified height for him. any reason why they don't know his actual height?
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I noticed on the description page they didn't have a verified height for him. any reason why they don't know his actual height?
Great question. His daughter posted the information on those websites as best she knew, considering she last saw him when she was 12 years old. Interviews with a co-worker and his sister put him at about 6' or 6'1". I have not found anything more that would give us a more precise height.
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I noticed on the description page they didn't have a verified height for him. any reason why they don't know his actual height?
Great question. His daughter posted the information on those websites as best she knew, considering she last saw him when she was 12 years old. Interviews with a co-worker and his sister put him at about 6' or 6'1". I have not found anything more that would give us a more precise height.
No record of his last known drivers license?
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I noticed on the description page they didn't have a verified height for him. any reason why they don't know his actual height?
Great question. His daughter posted the information on those websites as best she knew, considering she last saw him when she was 12 years old. Interviews with a co-worker and his sister put him at about 6' or 6'1". I have not found anything more that would give us a more precise height.
No record of his last known drivers license?
Not that I'm aware of. There's very little left of what he left behind. A musical instrument, a set of his favorite books, and a wooden table he made. The daughter (Lisa) convinced the mother to donate all his clothes a short time after appearing on the SJR Show in 1986 and receiving no tips on his whereabouts. She told her mom, "Even if he came back, those clothes would be out of style!" Jackie kept all of Dick's clothing for 17 years after he disappeared.
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Must be tough on families that go through this. I just lost my father coming up on a year now. when I go to the house, mom has everything the same in his room, except his closet is empty. I had a lot of losses in my life, but this has been the toughest yet. :'(
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Must be tough on families that go through this. I just lost my father coming up on a year now. when I go to the house, mom has everything the same in his room, except his closet is empty. I had a lot of losses in my life, but this has been the toughest yet. :'(
Sorry to hear of your loss. That really sucks. I lost my dad way too soon also and I get pissed just thinking about it. I guess that's why I'm interested in publicizing Lisa's and Vicki's father's cases. Not only did they suffer that tremendous loss, they have no closure. Hopefully, things will unfold and a bunch of us working together can bring about resolution to these cases and others like them.
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Thanks, I agree on the no closure thingy. somebody has to know something. the more it's seen, the better the chances. someone could stumble right in here one day holding the key to unlocking the secret. the best catch I ever seen was John List. I was amazed how accurate the guy made that bust of List, even had the right glasses for him. the sad part about that story was he was rich and didn't know it. he had a Tiffany sun light, or something like that in his house and he didn't know it. Is money problems could of been resolved, and the family spared!
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I posted this on the "other site" and thought it was worth posting here:
"Here is a link to the FBI's official website: http://www.fbi.gov/...mber/dbcooper_123107
The FBI states on their website "Cooper was no expert skydiver" and "The hijacker had no help on the ground, either" and "As many agents before him, Carr thinks it highly unlikely that Cooper survived the jump."
Now unfortunately, my mind is bound by common sense and reason, so I find myself asking this question: "What if the FBI is right?" And if the FBI is correct, wouldn't we be looking for a missing person who flew under the radar for many years and has some physical features which resemble the FBI Cooper sketches, but looks just enough off to remain hidden? Wouldn't we be looking for a "Dick Lepsy" or another missing person just like him?
As for the FBI, maybe they're sick and tired of, ;) "Coopersleuths" ;) telling them how wrong they are. I agree with Robert, Marla devastated the chances of ever resolving this case, but many others have joined her in souring the milk of the FBI's investigation.
Because of the the ;) Coopersleuth ;) shenanigans of the past, the FBI will more than likely never investigate Dick Lepsy. And sadly, there is no known connection between Lepsy and the Cooper suspect, but of course, there wouldn't be, would there? Otherwise he would have been looked at already.
If you read this forum, I'm kindly asking for your help. I can't do this on my own, I need your help. I want to add Dick Lepsy to the list of people that have been officially eliminated by the FBI as Cooper suspects (see attached).
This is not a personal attack against anyone, or their beliefs. I believe that if we were all in the same room together enjoying a beer or coffee, we would all get along smashingly and would have quite a conversation. Maybe someday this will happen, and who knows, we may even solve a few missing person cases between now and then.
Ross
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Hi Ross,
I'm trying to follow here. you want Lepsy added to the "eliminated" list. I don't think the FBI has an actual list. I don't think they eliminate anyone. they decide who is viable. I think Marla had a small percentage to do with investigating Cooper. they cut back, and that's where it hurts. they don't consider Cooper worth any further time unless someone has really good evidence. not just what some person close to the suspect claims. she might of put one over on them, but when the Government says there is no money in investigating Cooper further, you can take that to the bank. they will stop dead in there tracks.
We all try to help each other on this site. I don't think anyone would have a problem helping you, but you need to be a little more specific about your needs. I'm sure Vicki will give you any direction needed since she has a similar case. I'll keep this thread the way it is, or erase everything so you can put what is needed? just let me know.
This is not a personal attack against anyone, or their beliefs
If you wouldn't have wrote that, I would have never taken it has a personal attack. that's the other site that's always cocked and loaded.
lots of Cooper fans, sleuths etc. show up every year in Ariel Washington at the Ariel Store/Bar and you could get a chance to meet a lot of the people from this thread, and the other one. that's just around the corner time wise. (see photo gallery) perhaps you could see if Bruce Smith of the Mountain News will run a story for you. I'm a little concerned about his whereabouts at the moment, he's past due for his return, but hopefully all is well.
We have a lot of good people here. I believe you will fit right in........ 8)
Shutter
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I posted this on the "other site" and thought it was worth posting here:
"Here is a link to the FBI's official website: http://www.fbi.gov/...mber/dbcooper_123107
The FBI states on their website "Cooper was no expert skydiver" and "The hijacker had no help on the ground, either" and "As many agents before him, Carr thinks it highly unlikely that Cooper survived the jump."
Now unfortunately, my mind is bound by common sense and reason, so I find myself asking this question: "What if the FBI is right?" And if the FBI is correct, wouldn't we be looking for a missing person who flew under the radar for many years and has some physical features which resemble the FBI Cooper sketches, but looks just enough off to remain hidden? Wouldn't we be looking for a "Dick Lepsy" or another missing person just like him?
As for the FBI, maybe they're sick and tired of, ;) "Coopersleuths" ;) telling them how wrong they are. I agree with Robert, Marla devastated the chances of ever resolving this case, but many others have joined her in souring the milk of the FBI's investigation.
Because of the the ;) Coopersleuth ;) shenanigans of the past, the FBI will more than likely never investigate Dick Lepsy. And sadly, there is no known connection between Lepsy and the Cooper suspect, but of course, there wouldn't be, would there? Otherwise he would have been looked at already.
If you read this forum, I'm kindly asking for your help. I can't do this on my own, I need your help. I want to add Dick Lepsy to the list of people that have been officially eliminated by the FBI as Cooper suspects (see attached).
This is not a personal attack against anyone, or their beliefs. I believe that if we were all in the same room together enjoying a beer or coffee, we would all get along smashingly and would have quite a conversation. Maybe someday this will happen, and who knows, we may even solve a few missing person cases between now and then.
Ross
Baarada Nikto, Klaatu. :)
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Based on looking at Lepsy as a suspect I can't really see him qualifying as one. we do have several different variations with Cooper's age. the official age is mid 40's. the crew notes specify in his 50's, and the George Harrison notes claim 50-60 years of age. it appears to me that they all conclude he was above 45 years of age. dropping down to early 30's doesn't fit the profile.
I'm pretty sure his last known driver's license could be found that would help give a more accurate height & weight of Lespy prior to his disappearance.
Several have mentioned that hundreds of people went missing during this time period. Melvin Wilson has many similarities that could point to him being Cooper, but even that didn't get the FBI's attention. I can't see any possible links that could get the FBI to consider looking at Lespy as a suspect.
Does Lespy have any indications of aviation knowledge that would allow him to know flaps, altitudes needed for pressurizing the cabin. knowledge of the rear stairs operation. where would he find knowledge of knowing you could jump from the rear stairs. these are questions I'm sure the FBI would ask as well.
I don't think anyone knows for sure if Lespy took the money from the store, or was forced into it? does Lespy have any criminal background? I see a lot of research needed before putting him in this category. this is my opinion of this story. until other evidence points to him being a suspect, I can't see Lespy as a Cooper suspect.
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Several have mentioned that hundreds of people went missing during this time period. Melvin Wilson has many similarities that could point to him being Cooper, but even that didn't get the FBI's attention. I can't see any possible links that could get the FBI to consider looking at Lespy as a suspect.
I'm not aware of any of the ten or so "top suspects" having any links to the hijacking. There will never be a suspect with links to the hijacking. It was a random event and the jumper more than likely died during his escape. Dick Lepsy is just the type of person that will lead to the solution of this case. If it's not him, then it's someone like him, someone missing since the skyjacking, someone fitting the physical description of the Cooper suspect. There are a couple of gentlemen from New Jersey who fit this description also.
Mel Wilson has blue eyes and really doesn't resemble either of the Cooper sketches. This was enough for the FBI to rule him out as a suspect. Do I think he should be ruled out as a suspect? Absolutely not. I would love to have his DNA compared to the Cooper suspect DNA, even though there'a a chance that might not be his DNA. I would also like to compare the DNA of Dick Lepsy and any other gentlemen who fall into the same categories mentioned above.
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There will never be a suspect with links to the hijacking
I have to disagree. Skydiving, aviation, military, criminal etc. are all links to this crime. If someone has any of those subjects mentioned, they can link the suspect to the crime. every crime story you read, or watch will tell of something linking them to the crime. Cooper doesn't need all of them, or any of them, but most likely posses one or two of the links.
Robert Blevins has a huge hurdle to get over with Tina having to look up at Cooper. Kenny was the same height as Tina. he possessed several links. skydiving, and knowledge of aviation, but his description is a problem. you can't part a bald head to the left. I believe in that period he was under weight, and of course the height is a problem coming in a 5' 8".
I still stand firm on the age issue with Lepsy. you would think Tina would say they guy wasn't much older than herself, and not 20+ years older. how much can we really match to the sketch? it could be way off, or spot on. where do we go respectively on age limits. while he was still on the plane they quoted in his 50's. the George Harrison notes claim 50-60. do we spread this out to 30-60 years of age? most descriptions are off due to the time frames of seeing the suspect. it ranges from seconds to minutes on the average crime. Tina spent hours with him, and the others had time to look him over as well.
Hopefully you will be able to shed more light on Lepsy's background.
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Several have mentioned that hundreds of people went missing during this time period. Melvin Wilson has many similarities that could point to him being Cooper, but even that didn't get the FBI's attention. I can't see any possible links that could get the FBI to consider looking at Lespy as a suspect.
I'm not aware of any of the ten or so "top suspects" having any links to the hijacking. There will never be a suspect with links to the hijacking. It was a random event and the jumper more than likely died during his escape. Dick Lepsy is just the type of person that will lead to the solution of this case. If it's not him, then it's someone like him, someone missing since the skyjacking, someone fitting the physical description of the Cooper suspect. There are a couple of gentlemen from New Jersey who fit this description also.
Mel Wilson has blue eyes and really doesn't resemble either of the Cooper sketches. This was enough for the FBI to rule him out as a suspect. Do I think he should be ruled out as a suspect? Absolutely not. I would love to have his DNA compared to the Cooper suspect DNA, even though there'a a chance that might not be his DNA. I would also like to compare the DNA of Dick Lepsy and any other gentlemen who fall into the same categories mentioned above.
Has anyone ever really looked for Lepsy? Is he in the Social Security death index (of course, he might still be alive. He wouldn't even be 80 yet, would he?).
He's considered missing, but US Marshall's haven't been out looking for him. He could very well be right under our noses.
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My understanding is that the FBI has never ruled Mel Wilson out. Vicki can correct me if I am wrong.
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My understanding is that the FBI has never ruled Mel Wilson out. Vicki can correct me if I am wrong.
I don't think they actually rule anyone out. I think a couple terms that would fit better for some suspects would be. "not a person of interest, or not a viable suspect." they leave the door cracked, so to speak.
I'm still game for exploring Lespy. I just don't see anything at this point and I have problems with his age.
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My understanding is that the FBI has never ruled Mel Wilson out. Vicki can correct me if I am wrong.
As far as I know he has not been investigated. Only briefly looked at.
Originally, I spoke with SA Curtis Eng in January 2011. He called after Jerry Thomas spoke with him about my father. Eng's first introduced himself. He told me had spoke with Jerry Thomas then....with a sigh/breath asked "So...Why do YOU think YOUR dad was Dan Cooper?"
We spoke for a few minutes. I gave Eng my father's FBI #144034A. I could hear him typing it into the computer. He hemmed and hawed for a few seconds, then asked me to email him a short followup of our conversation and he would contact me with further questions.
About three weeks went by and I did not hear from him. I called JT and, in return he called Eng. Jerry related to me what Eng told him. Eng did not pursue looking into it further as he thought my dad did not look like the sketch.
So...I do not know the extent of anything the FBI did ...or did not do. I do know that I have never been contacted telling me they ruled him out on DNA or fingerprint comparison.
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I noticed on the description page they didn't have a verified height for him. any reason why they don't know his actual height?
Great question. His daughter posted the information on those websites as best she knew, considering she last saw him when she was 12 years old. Interviews with a co-worker and his sister put him at about 6' or 6'1". I have not found anything more that would give us a more precise height.
No record of his last known drivers license?
Not that I'm aware of. There's very little left of what he left behind. A musical instrument, a set of his favorite books, and a wooden table he made. The daughter (Lisa) convinced the mother to donate all his clothes a short time after appearing on the SJR Show in 1986 and receiving no tips on his whereabouts. She told her mom, "Even if he came back, those clothes would be out of style!" Jackie kept all of Dick's clothing for 17 years after he disappeared.
Ross, I get the sense that you are taking the FBI at their word. There is another perspective to examine and that is that the FBI doesn't want the case solved and are throwing lots of disinformation out there.
What do you think of all the discrepancies in the case, lost evidence, and the lack of effective record keeping by the FBI?
Any thoughts on the Cossey murder and the apparent lack of a suspect, or any public release of evidence since April 2013?
I see that you have an e-book for sale at Amazon. I'm preparing my book for sale in teh same manner. I'd love to chat with you and find out your experience with the Bozos folks.
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Bruce, what's your take on the Lepsy?
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Long shot. But I'm about to call Ross and chat about R-Lep.
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There will never be a suspect with links to the hijacking
I have to disagree. Skydiving, aviation, military, criminal etc. are all links to this crime. If someone has any of those subjects mentioned, they can link the suspect to the crime. every crime story you read, or watch will tell of something linking them to the crime. Cooper doesn't need all of them, or any of them, but most likely posses one or two of the links.
Robert Blevins has a huge hurdle to get over with Tina having to look up at Cooper. Kenny was the same height as Tina. he possessed several links. skydiving, and knowledge of aviation, but his description is a problem. you can't part a bald head to the left. I believe in that period he was under weight, and of course the height is a problem coming in a 5' 8".
I still stand firm on the age issue with Lepsy. you would think Tina would say they guy wasn't much older than herself, and not 20+ years older. how much can we really match to the sketch? it could be way off, or spot on. where do we go respectively on age limits. while he was still on the plane they quoted in his 50's. the George Harrison notes claim 50-60. do we spread this out to 30-60 years of age? most descriptions are off due to the time frames of seeing the suspect. it ranges from seconds to minutes on the average crime. Tina spent hours with him, and the others had time to look him over as well.
Hopefully you will be able to shed more light on Lepsy's background.
Dick Lepsy disappeared two years before the Cooper incident, so it is possible he learned the information that was used during the skyjacking during that time, but this is another "unkown". Lepsy was considered to have above average intelligence and was a voracious reader, so he could have learned those skills mentioned above, though he did not seem to possess that information before he disappeared.
Again, age is a subjective thing. It's not like eye color or hair color, it's a guess.
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I have to disagree about the age statement.
I'm sorry but I can't see the FBI or anyone willing to drop the age limit to 30 years old, not just 35. this is not really a "guess' as much as it's a calculated number between several witnesses. if this was a normal robbery, or car jacking I could see a wide range of age differences much like the descriptions they give due to seeing the suspect from minutes, to seconds. that's typically why descriptions are often wrong. I would put more confidence in the description before I settled on the sketch. several have mentioned it doesn't look like him.
Tina spent a lot of time with him. I'm pretty darn sure she could tell if someone was in her age range. they all stayed well above 40 years of age. I don't believe any of them mentioned anything about crooked teeth? Lepsy had that problem as well. again, Tina talked with him face to face for several hours and failed to note any dental issue's? another poster brought that up to me. as well as the height problem on NamUs. they have Lepsy at 6' 6" - 7' ?? I'm guessing that is a typo that's needs corrected as soon as possible.
https://www.findthemissing.org/en/cases/9530/0/
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Ross, I get the sense that you are taking the FBI at their word. There is another perspective to examine and that is that the FBI doesn't want the case solved and are throwing lots of disinformation out there.
What do you think of all the discrepancies in the case, lost evidence, and the lack of effective record keeping by the FBI?
Any thoughts on the Cossey murder and the apparent lack of a suspect, or any public release of evidence since April 2013?
I see that you have an e-book for sale at Amazon. I'm preparing my book for sale in teh same manner. I'd love to chat with you and find out your experience with the Bozos folks.
I like taking a different tact than most folks, so I'm approaching this with the supposition that the FBI is and has handled this case very well and that they are correct in their assumptions. I'm not saying that's my opinion, just that I'm approaching this with that attitude. If the Cooper suspect was someone like Dick Lepsy, it's a random event with nothing to tie to it.
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What about the height? NAMUS lists him as very tall -- 6'8" or taller. If Lepsy were that tall, that would obviously exclude him as a possibility.
I have doubts about the NAMUS height description (84 inches is seven feet tall!), but I can't tell from the photos whether he is a tall man or not. He's about a foot taller than his wife in a photo, but I have no way of knowing how tall he is.
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What about the height? NAMUS lists him as very tall -- 6'8" or taller. If Lepsy were that tall, that would obviously exclude him as a possibility.
I have doubts about the NAMUS height description (84 inches is seven feet tall!), but I can't tell from the photos whether he is a tall man or not. He's about a foot taller than his wife in a photo, but I have no way of knowing how tall he is.
Didn't I mention he was a professional basketball player? Just kidding. The Namus site's height is an error. Here is a link to another missing person's website:
http://www.charleyproject.org/cases/l/lepsy_robert.html (http://www.charleyproject.org/cases/l/lepsy_robert.html)
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I threw up, ah, I mean I threw this up over on Robert & Jo's site, so I thought I would post it here. It's a photo of Dick Lepsy at age 32 sandwiched between the FBI sketches. Lepsy would have been 35 when the skyjacking occurred.
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Robert & Jo's site
;D :D ;)
(Shutter singing) your gonna get in trouble. your gonna get in trouble :D :D :D
No turning back now my friend ;D
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If you wish to keep something at the start of this thread just let me know and I can post something at the top that will stay at the top. pics, or the story behind Lepsy? just let me know....
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Attached is the image of a couple photos of Dick Lepsy sandwiching the FBI Cooper sketch B. I'm not saying Lepsy is Cooper, nor am I saying there is any known connection between the two cases other than a possible resemblance of Lepsy and the FBI sketches.
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Is this what you want attached at the top?
It's ok to mark Lepsy as a possible suspect if you wish. I have no problems with that. If it can help get the word out about him missing, that's fine too. either way hopefully it will help get the word out about his disappearance. we pinned some things about Melvin Wilson at the top as well on Vicki's section. what ever you wish to put there is fine with me...this section basically belongs to you...
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I'd like to know the whole Dick Lepsey story: his girl friends, their friends, money deals, who did he owe money to, drugs, etc. Also, where did he learn everything that DBC knew about 727s and skydiving. Also, what did the cops do? What did their investigation turn up?
Keys in the ignition and cigs on the dashboard suggest to me a hijacking of Dick, not the other way around.
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Is this what you want attached at the top?
It's ok to mark Lepsy as a possible suspect if you wish. I have no problems with that. If it can help get the word out about him missing, that's fine too. either way hopefully it will help get the word out about his disappearance. we pinned some things about Melvin Wilson at the top as well on Vicki's section. what ever you wish to put there is fine with me...this section basically belongs to you...
Yes please. The previous post would be good. Could you add this youtube link also?:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbKZsQfzDSo (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbKZsQfzDSo)
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Done 8)
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I'd like to know the whole Dick Lepsey story: his girl friends, their friends, money deals, who did he owe money to, drugs, etc. Also, where did he learn everything that DBC knew about 727s and skydiving. Also, what did the cops do? What did their investigation turn up?
Keys in the ignition and cigs on the dashboard suggest to me a hijacking of Dick, not the other way around.
Great questions Bruce. The youtube video above explains much, but also leaves many questions. The only thing the police investigation revealed is that a man fitting Lepsy's description left the Traverse City Cherry Capitol Airport the day Dick disappeared with a final destination of Mexico. Charges were never filed. There were rumors of an affair.
The two years between Lepsy's disappearance and the skyjacking are a complete mystery. The only military connections Lepsy had were ROTC in high school and the town he lived in, Grayling Michigan, had a large National Guard base there. He grew up in Chicago, giving him street smarts, some say, and relocated to Northern Michigan at age 17. He was considered as having above average intelligence and was a voracious reader. Could he have met someone who possessed certain knowledge and shared it with him or did he read something to give him the information needed for the skyjacking? I don't know, and I'm not sure we'll ever know.
If someone were looking for a suspect who came from the mid-west, was rumored to be living in Mexico, hasn't been seen since the skyjacking, wasn't missed after the skyjacking because of strange circumstances and loosely fits the physical description of the skyjacking suspect, then someone like Dick Lepsy might be worth looking into.
There's no smoking gun here, no connection to the skyjacking whatsoever. And Lepsy was only 35 at the time of the skyjacking, and I think the opinion of most around here peg Cooper as being in his 50s.
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I think the opinion of most around here peg Cooper as being in his 50s.
I don't think we can call that an opinion. the official age is mid 40's according to the description by the FBI. the original age was in his 50's given by the crew while in flight. then the George Harrison notes mentioned 50-60 years of age. I'd be more willing to increase than decrease the age based on evidence presented.
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I just remembered this: Dick Lepsy smoked Chesterfield Kings. I'm not trying to make a correlation with anything, just sharing info.
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Nimi-Wreck - I think you should write the book on Dick Lepsey. Do a straight job and forget about DB Cooper angle other than he looks kinda like the skyjacker. Lepsey's story, and the aftermath - Lisa, the family, the Sally Jessy R. show, the organization to find missing people, it is a great one.
46% of all missing people are adults! Wow. That's a very cool story and no one is telling it in a big way. EVick should get in on this, too!
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Nimi-Wreck - I think you should write the book on Dick Lepsey. Do a straight job and forget about DB Cooper angle other than he looks kinda like the skyjacker. Lepsey's story, and the aftermath - Lisa, the family, the Sally Jessy R. show, the organization to find missing people, it is a great one.
46% of all missing people are adults! Wow. That's a very cool story and no one is telling it in a big way. EVick should get in on this, too!
The book has been written and is out there. It's entitled "Still Missing-Rethinking the D.B. Cooper Case and other Mysterious Unsolved Disappearances". In the book I claim multiple times that the book is not about Dick Lepsy being D.B. Cooper, its about Dick Lepsy possibly resembling the FBI Cooper sketches and how the solution of the case resides in finding suspects like Lepsy, suspects that haven't been seen or heard from since the skyjacking event. Suspects who fit the physical description.
You are absolutely right, the Lepsy story is very interesting on its own. I wrote about both Lepsy and Cooper and kept them compartmentalized because I found them both interesting. Sadly, most people in the mid-west don't know the Cooper story or aren't interested in it. One thing I think people who read my posts should understand is I'm not here to convert people or shift paradigms. I can't say I don't care what other people think, because I value the opinions expressed here, but I'm not here looking for validation or acceptance, I'm here to plant my flag and share information about Dick Lepsy.
That being said, below is an image comparing the hair line and forehead of Lepsy and the FBI Cooper sketch A. Happy Thanksgiving Eve!
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Yo, Rossie, can you send me a copy o' your book, so I can read up on Leps?
Thanks.
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Yo, Rossie, can you send me a copy o' your book, so I can read up on Leps?
Thanks.
"Rossie"? Only my wife calls me "Rossie". You can call me just plan old "Ross" or "Special Deputy Richardson" like everybody elsedoes, if you want to. :)
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This article was released in Northern Michigan today (12/8/2014). I think it's pretty fair and well balanced. Thanks Pat:
http://www.northernexpress.com/michigan/article-6677-without-a-trace.html (http://www.northernexpress.com/michigan/article-6677-without-a-trace.html)
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Yo, Rossie, can you send me a copy o' your book, so I can read up on Leps?
Thanks.
"Rossie"? Only my wife calls me "Rossie". You can call me just plan old "Ross" or "Special Deputy Richardson" like everybody elsedoes, if you want to. :)
Okie-dokie, Ross. Sigh.
But I do like the Special Deputy Richardson bit...hmmmmm....It's a lot to write, so I'll consult with my fingers and get back to ya.
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Okie-dokie, Ross. Sigh.
I enjoyed your book by the way! I'll shoot you an email in a bit, but just wanted to say publicly I enjoyed ready it, found it very informative and will be purchasing a copy.
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T'anks
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Hi all,
I've created a webpage which features comparing photos of missing person Dick Lepsy and the FBI sketches of the D.B.Cooper suspect. Take a look if you get a chance. Lepsy, a married father of four, disappeared October 29, 1969. His car was found a few days later abandoned in an airport parking lot, unlocked, with the keys in the ignition. He was never heard from or seen again.
www.michiganmysteries.com/dick-lepsy-vs-dbcooper/ (http://www.michiganmysteries.com/#/dick-lepsy-vs-dbcooper/4587446203)
Thank you.
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You want me to put the link on the first post as well?
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You want me to put the link on the first post as well?
Sure, whatever you think would look best. I can send you higher res pics also.
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Just thought we could keep the first post updated for those who haven't been here. they will read the whole thread, or part of it. it's best to have it at the start. you may consider posting the link in your signature area as well?
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Around 1976, Dick Lepsy was declared dead. A few years later, his wife, Jackie, was still battling insurance companies for the payouts of Dick’s life insurance policies. Here is an example of one of the depositions from those court cases circa 1979:
ATTORNEY: Now, how would you describe your husband’s health in the year of 1969?
JACKIE: I guess he was a normally healthy 33-year-old man. He’d had a couple of surgeries prior, but he was fine.
ATTORNEY: What about his mental state at that time? Did he ever appear despondent or make threats as to what he might or might not do?
JACKIE: On occasion he was despondent.
ATTORNEY: And what would lead to his despondency? Do you know or remember?
JACKIE: I think it was just a combination of things, his job, and a family, and just normal everyday aggravations.
ATTORNEY: Well, are you suggesting your family life was not a happy life?
JACKIE: Not at all.
ATTORNEY: What do you mean “Combination of job and family”?
JACKIE: Well, you have the responsibility, you know, when you’re married and you have a family. You’re totally responsible for the welfare and well-being for that family. And sometimes I think that probably can—I know it’s a burden. I’ve had it for ten years.
ATTORNEY: Did your husband have difficulty accepting these responsibilities?
JACKIE: No more than normal.
ATTORNEY: Now, directing your attention to October—29, is it?
JACKIE: Yes.
ATTORNEY: --October 29 of 1969. What do you recall about that particular day?
JACKIE: Well, it started out like any other day. I went to work. Dick went to work. Then he called me at noon and said that—he said “Can you get a ride home for lunch, because I won’t be coming home for lunch?” And I said “Yes. Don’t worry about it.” And he said “Fine. I’m just going to go for a ride.” I said “Fine.” He said “I’ll see you at suppertime. I love you.” I said “I love you, too. See you at supper.”
ATTORNEY: Did he come home for supper that night?
JACKIE: No, he did not.
ATTORNEY: What did you do then?
JACKIE: Well, I waited.
ATTORNEY: And then what?
JACKIE: Well, since that time, I have never seen or heard anything of him.
ATTORNEY: You had no more communication with him?
JACKIE: No.
ATTORNEY: Did he give you any indication as to where he might go that day?
JACKIE: No.
ATTORNEY: I understand that he reportedly made a telephone call to someone from Traverse City at the store; is that correct?
JACKIE: That could be correct. I never had any communication with Glen’s Market on anything.
ATTORNEY: On anything?
JACKIE: No.
ATTORNEY: Now, did he have the family car with him?
JACKIE: No, he had the company car.
ATTORNEY: The company car. Do you know anything about where that was found?
JACKIE: I understand that it was found at the Traverse City Airport.
ATTORNEY: You had nothing to do with that?
JACKIE: I did—I was with the people that found it.
ATTORNEY: You were with them?
JACKIE: Yes.
ATTORNEY: Now, why did you go to Traverse City, which is some fifty miles away, when your husband didn’t appear?
JACKIE: Well, because a lady from the store had said that he had called from Traverse City. And this other friend of his and mine, the couple; the other friend worked at the store; and he said – we looked all over Traverse City. That was the last place looked, you know, was the airport. And so we just looked at the airport.
Then the police had said that a man answering that description had gotten on a plane at that particular airport. That’s what the police told me, the state police. And so that’s where we looked.
ATTORNEY: When did you make this search in Traverse City?
JACKIE: Oh, I don’t—it was the same week, but I don’t remember—
ATTORNEY: A day or two later?
JACKIE: Yes, probably. I really don’t remember.
ATTORNEY: Now, at the time that your husband disappeared, was he being pressed by any person or company for any particular reason?
JACKIE: Not to my knowledge.
ATTORNEY: Was he involved, to your knowledge, in any extramarital affairs?
JACKIE: There was a question of that.
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Now we're getting somewhere... Did he have something going on the side?
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By the way, the pix of Dick does not look close to the sketch of DB. If you wanna see a close match, take a look at teh mug shot of Don Burnworth in the San Mateo lock-up. It's on the MN.
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By the way, the pix of Dick does not look close to the sketch of DB. If you wanna see a close match, take a look at teh mug shot of Don Burnworth in the San Mateo lock-up. It's on the MN.
With that crooked nose? I think that would have been one of the things witnesses would have pointed out. Lepsy was rumored to have left with a woman, but there are no missing women, well, I have to be careful here, there are no missing women thought to be connected to his disappearance. That means if he left with a woman from the area, she returned at some point, without him. Here are links to the missing young ladies who disappeared around the same time as Lepsy (unconnected) and lived about an hour away:
http://www.charleyproject.org/cases/h/hobley_pamela.html (http://www.charleyproject.org/cases/h/hobley_pamela.html)
http://www.charleyproject.org/cases/s/spencer_patricia.html (http://www.charleyproject.org/cases/s/spencer_patricia.html)
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I recently spoke with missing Michigan man Dick Lepsy's daughter, Lisa, about her thoughts on her father being a suspect in the Cooper case. We have rarely spoken about it because I prefer to keep things compartmentalized, in the event Lepsy is proven not to be the Cooper suspect, so any momentum and interest gained in Lepsy's case will not be lost. That being said, she told me her and her brothers always felt there was a strong resemblance between her father and the FBI Cooper suspect sketches, but never brought it to the attention of their mother or authorities, because their mother was quite fragile when it came to discussing her missing husband.
Dick's wife, Jackie, never remarried or even dated after his disappearance. She kept his clothes in her closet for 17 years, until Lisa convinced her it was time to donate them to the Salvation Army.
There is no evidence whatsoever linking Dick Lepsy and the D.B. Cooper suspect. Of course, what evidence would there be? After 40 plus years of investigation by FBI and civilian investigators, any type of evidence connecting anybody to this crime would have been exploited and the case would have been solved.
If someone thinks that there is even a remote possibility of a "no pull" scenario, Dick Lepsy is exactly the type of person who should be looked at. Don't be fooled, there are not hundreds of phantom "missing people" out there who would then have to be considered as suspects if Lepsy is. That is a ridiculous notion created by people who have never solved a thing.
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Hey Wrecks! What is this ka-ka you wrote about me? And you expect us to take your suspect seriously? I think you have been watching too much of the lower channels on TV. Just remember "kid" - you don't know me from Adam, or Isabelle either!
NMIWrecks
Dec 24, 2014, 9:25 AM
Post #56620 of 56623 (60 views)
Re: [RobertMBlevins] That OTHER PLace [In reply to]
Can't Post
________________________________________
Robert, I find the amount of posts Georger writes about you a little alarming. It seems like he's venting, and usually people work out their frustrations that way and everything blows over.
On the other hand, a small percentage of people with this amount of contempt toward a fellow human being act out and do something physically. I would hate to see you in your underwear, tied up with zip ties in Georger's basement with a ball gag in your mouth like in the scene from that movie "Pulp Fiction". I don't think anyone wants to see that.
I can see pros and cons for both websites, and I think both need to exist. This website seems to be dominated by a couple individuals who do a lot of talking, but never say much. That doesn't leave much room for forward thinking and innovative communication.
The other site has it's limitations also, but I do like some of the theories and information that are put forth there.
That being said, Robert, I do look forward to hearing the outcome of your latest report. At least you're doing something. I would be more than happy to buy you a steak dinner if you're right about Mr. Christiansen. I've been plenty wrong about things in the past and have no problem admitting when I am.
Good luck!
RR
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Hey Wrecks! What is this ka-ka you wrote about me? And you expect us to take your suspect seriously? I think you have been watching too much of the lower channels on TV. Just remember "kid" - you don't know me from Adam, or Isabelle either!
I stand by what I said, and I think it's pretty funny! I can see where you and Mr. Blevins might not see the comedy in the image I portrayed, so maybe it was a bit inappropriate. I'm sorry if that offended you, I didn't mean ill will toward either of you. But I still find the image of you tasering a tied up Mr. Blevins funny.
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Hey Wrecks! What is this ka-ka you wrote about me? And you expect us to take your suspect seriously? I think you have been watching too much of the lower channels on TV. Just remember "kid" - you don't know me from Adam, or Isabelle either!
I stand by what I said, and I think it's pretty funny! I can see where you and Mr. Blevins might not see the comedy in the image I portrayed, so maybe it was a bit inappropriate. I'm sorry if that offended you, I didn't mean ill will toward either of you. But I still find the image of you tasering a tied up Mr. Blevins funny.
Maybe your free associating has affected your temptation to posit a Cooper candidate - also? Freudian. Junk in - junk out.
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Hey Wrecks! What is this ka-ka you wrote about me? And you expect us to take your suspect seriously? I think you have been watching too much of the lower channels on TV. Just remember "kid" - you don't know me from Adam, or Isabelle either!
I stand by what I said, and I think it's pretty funny! I can see where you and Mr. Blevins might not see the comedy in the image I portrayed, so maybe it was a bit inappropriate. I'm sorry if that offended you, I didn't mean ill will toward either of you. But I still find the image of you tasering a tied up Mr. Blevins funny.
Maybe your free associating has affected your temptation to posit a Cooper candidate - also? Freudian. Junk in - junk out.
Thank you for catching that (also). It was a long tough night on the basketball court and it's getting late in this neck of the woods.
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It's that time of the week again for a new post about missing Michigan man Dick Lepsy (Robert Richard). Below is an image comparing the FBI Cooper suspect sketch A, with two photos of Dick Lepsy. The Lepsy photo on the left is from when he was about age 25, and in the one on the right, he is about age 32. Please note the "protruding lip", shape of the chin, the bridge of the nose, Black wavy hair that would appeared "marcelled" if slicked back and the "turkey gobbler neck".
Dick Lepsy disappeared two years before the skyjacking and was rumored to be in Mexico. He has not been seen or heard from since his disappearance. There is nothing connecting him to the skyjacking, except his alleged similarity in appearance to the Cooper suspect.
If the Cooper suspect was someone like Dick Lepsy, and the skyjacking was a random crime without much planning, what evidence would there be to find? People would spend years chasing ghosts, looking for clues that just don't exist.
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Dick Lepsy and Jackie Hunter graduated from Grayling High School in 1954, and were married in 1955. They had four children together, three boys and a girl. The children always felt there was a strong resemblance between their father and the FBI D.B. Cooper sketches, but did not mention this to their mother because of her fragile condition concerning her missing husband. Jackie never dated or remarried. On her deathbed, Jackie requested that Dick's name be added to her headstone, with the date he disappeared and the date of his death.
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Grayling, Michigan, had a population of 2143 in 1970, compared to today's population of 1863. It's a small town, centrally located in the northern part of Michigan's lower peninsula. The closest decent sized city is Grand Rapids, Michigan, which is about 150 miles from Grayling. Detroit is a little over 200 miles away.
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Hey Wrecks! What is this ka-ka you wrote about me? And you expect us to take your suspect seriously? I think you have been watching too much of the lower channels on TV. Just remember "kid" - you don't know me from Adam, or Isabelle either!
NMIWrecks
Dec 24, 2014, 9:25 AM
Post #56620 of 56623 (60 views)
Re: [RobertMBlevins] That OTHER PLace [In reply to]
Can't Post
________________________________________
Robert, I find the amount of posts Georger writes about you a little alarming. It seems like he's venting, and usually people work out their frustrations that way and everything blows over.
On the other hand, a small percentage of people with this amount of contempt toward a fellow human being act out and do something physically. I would hate to see you in your underwear, tied up with zip ties in Georger's basement with a ball gag in your mouth like in the scene from that movie "Pulp Fiction". I don't think anyone wants to see that.
I can see pros and cons for both websites, and I think both need to exist. This website seems to be dominated by a couple individuals who do a lot of talking, but never say much. That doesn't leave much room for forward thinking and innovative communication.
The other site has it's limitations also, but I do like some of the theories and information that are put forth there.
That being said, Robert, I do look forward to hearing the outcome of your latest report. At least you're doing something. I would be more than happy to buy you a steak dinner if you're right about Mr. Christiansen. I've been plenty wrong about things in the past and have no problem admitting when I am.
Good luck!
RR
Georger,
Is this a personal attack on me? What do you mean by calling me "Kid"? I hope you're not being a Hate Monger! I'm trying to thaw out here in sunny Florida and want to send warm positive vibes to all, including you. Please let me know how we can make this happen.
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Where are you in Florida?
Yes, I hope you guys can resolve any issues at hand. we must function as a group.
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Where are you in Florida?
Yes, I hope you guys can resolve any issues at hand. we must function as a group.
I've been all over the place. Port St. Lucie, Pomona Park, Bell and Tampa tomorrow. I like to keep moving because a moving target is harder to hit. Where abouts are you? Isn't Jo around here somewhere?
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Jo is up in the panhandle. I'm down in Fort Lauderdale :D
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Jo is up in the panhandle. I'm down in Fort Lauderdale :D
I gotta tell ya, I'm loving your weather! I was in Boca for a bit Sunday, not far from your locale, if I'm not mistaken. This shot of warm weather really breaks up the 10 months of winter we get up north! I'm scheduled to do an ice dive when I get back. It's hard to get motivated for that after hanging out in the sunshine.
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I gotta tell ya, I'm loving your weather!
Glad you are enjoying the weather. working outside I can also appreciate the weather, but I'll confess it's been cold for me a couple days back. you just get use to the weather down here, and drops in temps are felt. people from up north laugh at this
but that's what happens after you are here a couple years :D
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Below is the last known photograph of missing person Dick Lepsy. The photo was taken at his little sister's wedding in Chicago, in September of 1969. Lepsy disappeared just two months later on October 29, 1969. Lepsy is seated next to his wife, Jackie. Though Lepsy was only 33 years old in this photo, many people have stated that he appears to be a man in his forties.
Lepsy was 6 feet tall and weighed around 180 pounds. He had black hair and brown eyes. He was rumored to be in Mexico during around the time of the Cooper skyjacking. He has not been seen or heard from since.
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If Dick were ten years older at the time of the hijacking, I'd be freaking the hell out about him because look at this photoshop I made of Dick's eyes placed above Comp B's eyes. FREAKY. Both sets of eyes have heavy lids, are spaced wide apart and are a bit wonk.
I'll also admit that in that "last picture" of Dick I would have guessed that he were a man in his 40's. Also, he has a very distinct "turkey gobble" and is undashing enough to be labeled a "geek" by Mitchell. His complexion fits too.
I have a really hard time with the age discrepancy, but he fits the bill in so many other ways, especially with the height. You can certainly tell Lepsy was a tall man.
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If Dick were ten years older at the time of the hijacking, I'd be freaking the hell out about him because look at this photoshop I made of Dick's eyes placed above Comp B's eyes. FREAKY. Both sets of eyes have heavy lids, are spaced wide apart and are a bit wonk.
I'll also admit that in that "last picture" of Dick I would have guessed that he were a man in his 40's. Also, he has a very distinct "turkey gobble" and is undashing enough to be labeled a "geek" by Mitchell. His complexion fits too.
I have a really hard time with the age discrepancy, but he fits the bill in so many other ways, especially with the height. You can certainly tell Lepsy was a tall man.
Hello "Olemisscub"! Good to hear your opinion, you seem very knowledgeable You are correct about the age discrepancy. Lepsy would have been 35 years old at the time of the skyjacking and Mitchell pegs the Cooper suspect's age at 40. It seems every "suspect" has some attribute that differs from the eyewitness descriptions: Lespy's too young, Wilson has blue eyes, Christainsen is too short, Weber ears are too big, etc., etc.
It sounds like you have some law enforcement experience, as well as experience in the court system. You are probably more familiar than most with the latest trends in solving cold case, missing person cases. This is an exciting time, as in the past couple years, many cases that were considered almost "unsolvable" are being solved because of DNA testing and "websleuthing" via websites like NAMUS. I very much doubt these trends are going to spill over into this case anytime soon, but hopefully, 10 or 20 years from now, DNA tests on all viable suspects will tell us at the least, who the Cooper suspect wasn't.
Cheers,
RR
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It sounds like you have some law enforcement experience, as well as experience in the court system. You are probably more familiar than most with the latest trends in solving cold case, missing person cases. This is an exciting time, as in the past couple years, many cases that were considered almost "unsolvable" are being solved because of DNA testing and "websleuthing" via websites like NAMUS. I very much doubt these trends are going to spill over into this case anytime soon, but hopefully, 10 or 20 years from now, DNA tests on all viable suspects will tell us at the least, who the Cooper suspect wasn't.
Yes, it's a good time to be in law enforcement, that's for sure. Now, if we can just get cops to all wear bodycams, it'll be great!
The only downfall with advances in criminal science it is harder and harder to get a conviction on someone because of what we call "the CSI effect". Jury members sometimes will just refuse to convict if there isn't DNA. Some cases were so obvious (no alibi, clear motive, a dozen eye witnesses) that we didn't even attempt to send off potential DNA evidence to the crimelab and it came back to bite us because one or two people on the jury (must be unanimous decision in criminal cases) won't convict unless there is DNA. It's silly. Nevertheless, on the whole, it is a WONDERFUL thing, especially as applied by groups like the Innocence Project, etc., because often times you are freeing an innocent man while at the same time catching the bad guy.
Concerning DB, I think there needs to be more of a focus on missing persons from that time period like Lepsy or Wilson, because there is obviously a very good chance that DB fell to his death.
About Lepsy specifically, I keep going back to his eyes. Those lazy eyelids are a definite feature. Also, I just did a blind test with my wife with that picture of DB at the wedding and she would have guessed early 40's. She was quite surprised when I said 33.
Another thing about Lepsy: Did he have any criminal background at all? I guess disappearing in the first place is suspicious behavior (assuming he wasn't kidnapped).
Something else: The sketch that was released in the 80's by Flo has the hijacker with a widow's peak. That is something that Comp's A&B do not have. In a few of the pics of Lepsy where his head is facing down you can see a bit of a widow's peak with his hairline. Just a thought.
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I'm wondering how crooked his front teeth were? the missing person file claims he had two crooked teeth. Tina sat right next to Cooper for a longtime, but never mentioned anything out of the ordinary with his teeth.
NMI, is there any pics showing this, all of them have his mouth closed?
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I'm wondering how crooked his front teeth were? the missing person file claims he had two crooked teeth. Tina sat right next to Cooper for a longtime, but never mentioned anything out of the ordinary with his teeth.
NMI, is there any pics showing this, all of them have his mouth closed?
The only image I have of his teeth is from his senior picture. They don't appear to very crooked in that photo. I'll give his daughter a call in the next couple days and ask her about it. She's the one who filed the information in the online reports (NAMUS, etc.).
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It sounds like you have some law enforcement experience, as well as experience in the court system. You are probably more familiar than most with the latest trends in solving cold case, missing person cases. This is an exciting time, as in the past couple years, many cases that were considered almost "unsolvable" are being solved because of DNA testing and "websleuthing" via websites like NAMUS. I very much doubt these trends are going to spill over into this case anytime soon, but hopefully, 10 or 20 years from now, DNA tests on all viable suspects will tell us at the least, who the Cooper suspect wasn't.
Yes, it's a good time to be in law enforcement, that's for sure. Now, if we can just get cops to all wear bodycams, it'll be great!
The only downfall with advances in criminal science it is harder and harder to get a conviction on someone because of what we call "the CSI effect". Jury members sometimes will just refuse to convict if there isn't DNA. Some cases were so obvious (no alibi, clear motive, a dozen eye witnesses) that we didn't even attempt to send off potential DNA evidence to the crimelab and it came back to bite us because one or two people on the jury (must be unanimous decision in criminal cases) won't convict unless there is DNA. It's silly. Nevertheless, on the whole, it is a WONDERFUL thing, especially as applied by groups like the Innocence Project, etc., because often times you are freeing an innocent man while at the same time catching the bad guy.
Concerning DB, I think there needs to be more of a focus on missing persons from that time period like Lepsy or Wilson, because there is obviously a very good chance that DB fell to his death.
About Lepsy specifically, I keep going back to his eyes. Those lazy eyelids are a definite feature. Also, I just did a blind test with my wife with that picture of DB at the wedding and she would have guessed early 40's. She was quite surprised when I said 33.
Another thing about Lepsy: Did he have any criminal background at all? I guess disappearing in the first place is suspicious behavior (assuming he wasn't kidnapped).
Something else: The sketch that was released in the 80's by Flo has the hijacker with a widow's peak. That is something that Comp's A&B do not have. In a few of the pics of Lepsy where his head is facing down you can see a bit of a widow's peak with his hairline. Just a thought.
Dick Lepsy was suspected of embezzling $2000 from the grocery store he managed and fleeing to Mexico. He has not been seen or heard from since.
I'm not sure how much I trust the 1980s sketch redo. Memories rarely get sharper with the passage of time.
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Dick Lepsy was suspected of embezzling $2000 from the grocery store he managed and fleeing to Mexico. He has not been seen or heard from since.
That's well over $10,000 in today's money.
Of all the DB suspects put forth that I've seen, I'm not saying I like Lepsy the best, but I think I like his "look" the best. He especially looks like the uber-composite that is on Sluggo's site. Some of the other pics of him he looks a little chubbier in the face, but I think being on the run for a couple of years would have made him leaner.
(http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh153/OleMissCub17/compc_zpsveoaeufk.jpg)
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I think making the jump from Lepsy to Cooper has a lot of hurdles still, but, I agree, he gets points for having one of the best "looks" and lets not forget those shades......... :)
(http://www.coasttocoastam.com/cimages/var/ezwebin_site/storage/images/coast-to-coast/repository/photos/dick-lepsy-d.b.-cooper-sketch/772050-1-eng-US/Dick-Lepsy-D.B.-Cooper-Sketch_photo_medium.jpg)
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Haha, wow I just noticed the shades. Those are the exact style.
But ya, he has tons of hurdles. However, if we were absolutely certain that Cooper had died, then I would almost be willing to bet money it was him on the physical similarities alone. Reason being, surely if DB died he would have been missed by someone and I've searched all of the online missing person's databases and Lepsy and just a tiny handful of others are the only ones that even remotely could be DB. Of course, it could be that he died and no one ever field a missing person's report. But of all the missing persons and all the named suspects, Lepsy is physically the eeriest.
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This little photoshop I just did is seriously the closest I've seen to what I imagine DB Cooper looking like in my mind's eye. (add about 7-8 years onto this guys age)
(http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh153/OleMissCub17/lepsyanddb2_zpsuxgdiv4o.jpg)
Oh, and about Lepsy's criminal history that I asked about earlier in the thread... well I've come to the independent conclusion that he was definitely a piece of crap to abandon his 3 beautiful kids. So ya, he was a jerk as a human being and a criminal to boot (the embezzlement).
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Haha, wow I just noticed the shades. Those are the exact style.
But ya, he has tons of hurdles. However, if we were absolutely certain that Cooper had died, then I would almost be willing to bet money it was him on the physical similarities alone. Reason being, surely if DB died he would have been missed by someone and I've searched all of the online missing person's databases and Lepsy and just a tiny handful of others are the only ones that even remotely could be DB. Of course, it could be that he died and no one ever field a missing person's report. But of all the missing persons and all the named suspects, Lepsy is physically the eeriest.
OMC, approximately how many people, who could conceivably be Cooper, are in those missing person databases that you mention?
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OMC, approximately how many people, who could conceivably be Cooper, are in those missing person databases that you mention?
I posted the only ones I've come across in the Suspects thread yesterday. Check it out if you haven't already. Besides Lepsy and Wilson, there are only two others that are the appropriate age, height/weight, and with dark hair. So we're only looking at four people that are actually in the database (and I was using parameters of 1963-1973).
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OMC, approximately how many people, who could conceivably be Cooper, are in those missing person databases that you mention?
I posted the only ones I've come across in the Suspects thread yesterday. Check it out if you haven't already. Besides Lepsy and Wilson, there are only two others that are the appropriate age, height/weight, and with dark hair. So we're only looking at four people that are actually in the database (and I was using parameters of 1963-1973).
It is highly probable that Cooper had a military background or as a mercenary type. Consequently, he would probably never be entered into a missing database. Who knows, maybe Cooper has already been identified by an organization that doesn't share information with the FBI.
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OMC, approximately how many people, who could conceivably be Cooper, are in those missing person databases that you mention?
I posted the only ones I've come across in the Suspects thread yesterday. Check it out if you haven't already. Besides Lepsy and Wilson, there are only two others that are the appropriate age, height/weight, and with dark hair. So we're only looking at four people that are actually in the database (and I was using parameters of 1963-1973).
It is highly probable that Cooper had a military background or as a mercenary type. Consequently, he would probably never be entered into a missing database. Who knows, maybe Cooper has already been identified by an organization that doesn't share information with the FBI.
This is one main reason I think he lived, especially after looking at the limited missing candidates. I mean, even military types had families that would care that they were missing and to believe that he was some merc or special ops guy or Manchurian candidate is just a little too black helicopter for me. Since I don't believe in the black ops angle and I don't think any of the missing would have had the adequate knowledge that DB possessed about the 727, I believe that DB is someone we've never heard of who survived.
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OMC, approximately how many people, who could conceivably be Cooper, are in those missing person databases that you mention?
I posted the only ones I've come across in the Suspects thread yesterday. Check it out if you haven't already. Besides Lepsy and Wilson, there are only two others that are the appropriate age, height/weight, and with dark hair. So we're only looking at four people that are actually in the database (and I was using parameters of 1963-1973).
It is highly probable that Cooper had a military background or as a mercenary type. Consequently, he would probably never be entered into a missing database. Who knows, maybe Cooper has already been identified by an organization that doesn't share information with the FBI.
This is one main reason I think he lived, especially after looking at the limited missing candidates. I mean, even military types had families that would care that they were missing and to believe that he was some merc or special ops guy or Manchurian candidate is just a little too black helicopter for me. Since I don't believe in the black ops angle and I don't think any of the missing would have had the adequate knowledge that DB possessed about the 727, I believe that DB is someone we've never heard of who survived.
I agree with you that Cooper is/was someone we've never heard of.
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OMC, approximately how many people, who could conceivably be Cooper, are in those missing person databases that you mention?
I posted the only ones I've come across in the Suspects thread yesterday. Check it out if you haven't already. Besides Lepsy and Wilson, there are only two others that are the appropriate age, height/weight, and with dark hair. So we're only looking at four people that are actually in the database (and I was using parameters of 1963-1973).
It is highly probable that Cooper had a military background or as a mercenary type. Consequently, he would probably never be entered into a missing database. Who knows, maybe Cooper has already been identified by an organization that doesn't share information with the FBI.
This is one main reason I think he lived, especially after looking at the limited missing candidates. I mean, even military types had families that would care that they were missing and to believe that he was some merc or special ops guy or Manchurian candidate is just a little too black helicopter for me. Since I don't believe in the black ops angle and I don't think any of the missing would have had the adequate knowledge that DB possessed about the 727, I believe that DB is someone we've never heard of who survived.
I agree with you that Cooper is/was someone we've never heard of.
One has to wonder if the search for Cooper did not wind up involving other intelligence agencies?
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I somewhat doubt it given how the agencies have historically cooperated. Hell, they didn't even cooperate with each other on matters of upmost national security in recent years. This was still J. Edgar's FBI back then so you know they kept everything close to the vest.
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Who ordered the SR-71 to fly recon in Norjak?
Just sayin'.
BTW: Did you know that the FBI had its own air wing in the 1970s. Gawd knows how much aircraft they have now, but back in the day Gary Tallis told me that he was one of the first FBI pilots, and they had two "silent" bird dog type of aircraft left-over from Vietnam that the Bureau used to spot drug trafficking on the mex border. Small engine, heavily muffled, lots o' insulation. It was very slow, and flew at very low altitudes.
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I'm wondering how crooked his front teeth were? the missing person file claims he had two crooked teeth. Tina sat right next to Cooper for a longtime, but never mentioned anything out of the ordinary with his teeth.
NMI, is there any pics showing this, all of them have his mouth closed?
I have not been able to contact Lepsy's daughter, Lisa, and ask her about his teeth. She's the one that supplied the information on the missing persons websites. She was only 12 when her father disappeared. I will ask her about his teeth next time I talk to her.
Here is a link to an interesting story from my neck of the woods. This 35 year old cold case was solved using Facebook and social media, of all things! Many cold cases are being resolved by amateur sleuths via social media and the internet. It's just a matter of time before this trend spills over into the Cooper case and a new generation of fresh eyes will take a crack at it.
Body-found-in-louisiana-in-1981-is-missing-kzoo-woman (http://woodtv.com/2015/03/05/body-found-in-louisiana-in-1981-is-missing-kzoo-woman/)
Below is the last known photograph of Dick Lepsy, taken in August of 1969 at his little sister's wedding, just two months before he vanished. He was 33 years old at the time of this photo. He would have been 35 at the time of the skyjacking. I compared the image with the Cooper suspect sketches.
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I'm wondering how crooked his front teeth were? the missing person file claims he had two crooked teeth. Tina sat right next to Cooper for a longtime, but never mentioned anything out of the ordinary with his teeth.
NMI, is there any pics showing this, all of them have his mouth closed?
I talked with Dick Lepsy's daughter, Lisa, and asked her about his teeth. She said one of his front teeth slightly overlapped the other, as seen in his senior photo from high school (below). She also shared with me that her aunt (father's sister) just sent her some poetry her father had written for his brother. The brothers were close and would exchange poetry. Lisa also remembers her dad reading the poetry of Edna St. Vincent Millay to her at bedtime and to her and her brothers in the backyard while they were laying on a blanket. I don't envision this guy jumping out of the back of a 727, but I also don't envision him making off with his employer's money and hopping on a jet to Mexico.
A Poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvgDAOG8W6c)
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I was going through some old notes and came across the photo below. It was shared with me by Glen Catt, who knew Dick Lepsy personally. It's not a great image, but it's something I haven't posted before. The photo is of Glen's Market employees taken in 1966.
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Have you thought about making a video about Lepsy's missing person status? I made one for Vicki, and wouldn't have a problem doing the same for you?
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Have you thought about making a video about Lepsy's missing person status? I made one for Vicki, and wouldn't have a problem doing the same for you?
I think that's a very good idea. I just watched your "Mel Wilson" video and thought it was pretty good. Let me know what materials you might need from me.
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Have you thought about making a video about Lepsy's missing person status? I made one for Vicki, and wouldn't have a problem doing the same for you?
I think that's a very good idea. I just watched your "Mel Wilson" video and thought it was pretty good. Let me know what materials you might need from me.
Ok, just need some photo's, which I believe are here, and need to know if you want any dialog, or something similar to Vicki's vid. any home movies? do you want anything mentioned about Cooper, or just the fact of him missing? I have to squeeze Bruce in first. I committed to him a while back. let me know if you have any idea's to add......
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YEAH - what about me!
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A huge "Thank You!" to our very own "Shutter" for putting this video together:
Dick Lepsy video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCCWYAa-DzI)
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It was my pleasure Ross. these video's are important to have have. hopefully someone will see it and something will help shed some light on his disappearance...it must of been hard on the family to go through something like this. I give a lot of credit to the family, and people like Vicki who are dealing with a loss....
Shutter
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Lisa Lepsy left a message on our You Tube channel for this forum......
"Lisa Lepsy
Thank you for making my dad's case public. He was a wonderful man, extremely intelligent and loved his family dearly. After many long years we still search and hope...Lisa Lepsy"
I'm glad she was able to see the video.
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who was DB Cooper?
-DB Cooper was not a drinker, he only had one drink and spilled a portion of that. If someone was a drinker, in a situation like this he would have had more than just one in the five hours he was on the plane.
-He was not a chain smoker, he was on the aircraft for five hours and only smoked 8 cigarettes. That would make him a smoker of less than a pack-a-day and this under normal conditions.
-He spoke in an intelligent manner and never lost his cool, he was always polite throughout the ordeal. -He had brown eyes (Schaffner saw his eyes before he put on the glasses, he looked directly at her several times urging her to read the note)
-He is 5'10 to 6'1 (Mucklow is 5'8 and spent 5 hours with Cooper, she would know if he was her height or taller. Have someone 5'8 stand next to someone 6 feet, the difference is obvious. Better yet, position yourself at a level of 5'8 and look at someone at a 6' elevation. Now spend 5 hours with that person, you'll know the difference. No one put Cooper under 5'10.
-He had olive skin (no make-up, neither Mucklow, Schaffner or Hancock made comment on make-up which would have been very obvious. Again, do the math, put dark makeup on someone then sit next to them with your shoulders touching, you can see the make-up.) -He had dark hair, receding with sideburns (no wig, this would have been painfully obvious, if a man was wearing a wig with a receding hair line and side burns everyone would have noticed, especially Mucklow and Schaffner.)
-He was med built (no one put him over 190 lbs, in fact most put him 180 or under. Find a man 6 foot 180 lbs, thats a med to thin build.)
These are the facts on his physical make-up, if your suspect does not match these you may want to start looking at someone else.
FBI Agent Larry Carr-circa 2007
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who was DB Cooper?
-DB Cooper was not a drinker, he only had one drink and spilled a portion of that. If someone was a drinker, in a situation like this he would have had more than just one in the five hours he was on the plane.
-He was not a chain smoker, he was on the aircraft for five hours and only smoked 8 cigarettes. That would make him a smoker of less than a pack-a-day and this under normal conditions.
-He spoke in an intelligent manner and never lost his cool, he was always polite throughout the ordeal. -He had brown eyes (Schaffner saw his eyes before he put on the glasses, he looked directly at her several times urging her to read the note)
-He is 5'10 to 6'1 (Mucklow is 5'8 and spent 5 hours with Cooper, she would know if he was her height or taller. Have someone 5'8 stand next to someone 6 feet, the difference is obvious. Better yet, position yourself at a level of 5'8 and look at someone at a 6' elevation. Now spend 5 hours with that person, you'll know the difference. No one put Cooper under 5'10.
-He had olive skin (no make-up, neither Mucklow, Schaffner or Hancock made comment on make-up which would have been very obvious. Again, do the math, put dark makeup on someone then sit next to them with your shoulders touching, you can see the make-up.) -He had dark hair, receding with sideburns (no wig, this would have been painfully obvious, if a man was wearing a wig with a receding hair line and side burns everyone would have noticed, especially Mucklow and Schaffner.)
-He was med built (no one put him over 190 lbs, in fact most put him 180 or under. Find a man 6 foot 180 lbs, thats a med to thin build.)
These are the facts on his physical make-up, if your suspect does not match these you may want to start looking at someone else.
FBI Agent Larry Carr-circa 2007
The "Charley Project" missing persons website describes Dick (Robert Richard) Lepsy as Caucasian male, between 5'10" and 6'2" in height and weighing between 180 and 190 pounds. His hair was black and his eyes were brown. Lepsy was known as a casual drinker who preferred mixed drinks, though no one can recall ever seeing him inebriated. He was said to be a "pack a day" smoker. Lepsy was promoted to manager of a large grocery store in Grayling, Michigan at age 30 and was describe by coworkers as personable and very intelligent. Lepsy would have been 35 years old at the time of the Cooper skyjacking, but the overwhelming consensus is Lepsy appeared to be in his forties when he disappeared.
Dick Lepsy was suspected of embezzling approximately $2000 in cash from his employer, Glen's Market, and absconding to Mexico in 1969, though this has never been confirmed. Because of the unusual circumstances in this case, Lepsy was not considered an official missing person until 2011.
The Charly Project: Dick Lepsy (http://www.charleyproject.org/cases/l/lepsy_robert.html)
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These results shown on the attachment below were obtained using the most advanced and accurate age estimator created thus far. This is just another technological tool that may end up contributing to the solving of this mystery.
Age Estimator (http://how-old.net/)
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Interesting.
How was the Age Estimator developed?
Me, I'm terrible at estimating age. Most people look like they're still in high school to me. It's a real act of trust when I walk into my doc's office and believe that he has actually graduated from college, let alone a med school, internship and residency program!
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It worked pretty well for me. I used my work badge photo (taken in February 2014) and it showed my age as 51. The photo was taken two days after my 52nd birthday.
If anyone else wants to try it go to how-old.net and use your own photo.
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It worked pretty well for me. I used my work badge photo (taken in February 2014) and it showed my age as 51. The photo was taken two days after my 52nd birthday.
If anyone else wants to try it go to how-old.net and use your own photo.
I have to admit it didn't work well for me. It put me in my 60s a couple times (I'm in my 40s), guessed within a year once, and pegged my 10 year old as being 70 plus. Glasses seem to throw it off a bit.
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The program worked pretty good in some cases. it seems to have some trouble with younger people. I put some photo's in that had a age of 20, and it came back with ages up to 33. I'm sure with time programs like these will improve.
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Also, the book covers everyone named on Nimi's list except for Mel and Lepsy. To me, the story on these guys is similar.
As for Leps, I still want to know more about the LE search. Who did the looking, what did they find, where did the money go, and what about the babe involved. Tantalizing clues, like keys in the ignition and ciggies on the dashboard? WTF! Plus the family's been on the hunt for decades - what have they found, what are their suspicions. DId Daddy really run away with a Sweetie-Pie to Mea He Co? What do we know about Leps' love life.
If we know nuttin', then how come? A lot more work needs to be done on this guy, imo. Bottom Line - he doesn't sound like a guy who steals airplanes, but more like a middle-aged, Middle American trying something a little different in life. Did he do drugs? Sell drugs? Want to get into the drug world???
Was he caught up in the 1969 dream of tuning in and dropping out?
BTW: from what I saw on the Jesse Raphael TV show, the wifey doesn't look totally with-it, and the investigation is being run by the daughter. Not a good sign. Reminds me of the Lyle Lovett song, paraphrased: "If I had a boat, I'd go out on the ocean...and if I was Roy Rodgers, I could not bring myself to marry an old Dale."
I moved these questions over here and will do my best to answer Bruce's questions. Lepsy was accused of embezzling $2000 from Glen's Market in Grayling, Michigan, and absconding to Mexico in 1969. The case was investigated by the Michigan State Police and the Grayling Police Department. Charges where never filed and all records of that investigation have been purged. LE interviewed airport staff and found a man fitting Lepsy's description flew out of the airport where his abandoned car was found and his final destination was Mexico.
Lepsy admitted to his wife that he had an affair with one of his employees who was significantly younger than he was. Police investigated and found her to be away at college at the time of his disappearance. There are no missing women from the Grayling and surrounding areas, so if he did leave with a female accomplice, she probably returned at some point.
Lepsy was not publicly announced as a missing person until 2011, and that was done via missing person's websites with no response. Lepsy's wife passed away in 2012.
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Okay, thanks.
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Dick Lepsy timeline:
1969 October 29-Dick Lepsy disappears from Grayling, Michigan, after being accused of embezzling $2000 in cash and absconding to Mexico via aircraft and is never seen or heard from again.
1971, November 24-The D.B. Cooper suspect hijacks Flight 305 and jumps from the 727 to an uncertain fate.
1976-Dick Lepsy is declared dead by his wife.
1977-Lepsy's mother passes away and family ponders his absence.
2011-Dick Lepsy is placed on missing person websites for the first time.
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What does the daughter think of your investigation? Is she assisting you?
Is anyone involved at the federal level, such as EVick has with her search for Mel?
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What does the daughter think of your investigation? Is she assisting you?
Is anyone involved at the federal level, such as EVick has with her search for Mel?
I talk with Lisa Lepsy regularly. We don't talk "Cooper" much, but her attitude is "it could be, it sure looks like him". I think I mentioned before that her and her siblings feel there is a strong resemblance between their father and the FBI Cooper suspect sketches. Lisa and I are meeting with a news crew later this month to discuss her father's disappearance.
Together we've chased down every lead we could, and all have ended up as dead ends. There has been no activity on Dick Lepsy's SS account since his disappearance. The FBI is aware of Lepsy, though Lisa and I have not been contacted by them.
I think if I took the approach of many of the other suspect promoters and said: "I'm 110% sure Dick Lepsy is D.B. Cooper (like Marla, Jo, etc.), it's him for sure, no doubt about it" and was convincing enough, than maybe Lepsy would get a closer look. That's not the way I roll. I'm merely saying I've got a 6' missing person from the Midwest (no accent) with black hair and brown eyes who reportedly spent a couple years in Mexico (Smooth olive skin, tan) after using an aircraft to abscond with somebody else's money. Don't you find that interesting?
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This has to be tough on a family. I'm still thinking about my father two years later, but I had the privilege of knowing him my whole life.
Perhaps more exposure will be coming soon, if it gets off the ground...
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I've got my own missing person story going at the Mountain News. A 28 year-old mother of two didn't come from a night at the local bar last Saturday. Last seen in the company of a man she had known, and according to the family was a bad boy.
Now, I'm seeing additional stories develop - how the family copes, and what the cops do - and what they don't. Cops went looking for one day, and that was it.
The family is combing the woods and hillsides of Graham, WA, but they are disorganized, tired, HOT, and discouraged. No one is in charge. The Red Cross, Search and Rescue, etc. are non-existent. I've contacted the county's Dept of Emergency Management to learn the protocols they use to deploy their resources, but have gotten NO response. Ug.
Basically, it looks like a mess to me. Worse, the family thinks the media is a villain by getting details of the story wrong. Two family members who I had to contact have asked me not to call them anymore. As far as I can determine, the family does not have a designated media-contact person. I met the father two days ago, but he is always out in the woods searching for his daughter and so is unavailable to give updates.
Nimi, could you please ask Dick's daughter if I could call her to get a larger view of what is going on with my story? Could you give me her contact information? Thanks.
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I did some more work on the Lepsy section of the new site....
http://website.thedbcooperforum.com/Dick-Lespy/
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I did an impromptu poll of Facebook friends and asked them to state the age of the gentleman in the attached photo. 28 people, male and female, responded within 3 hours and the average age they came up with is 40.25. High age was 57, low age was 32. The photo is one I've never seen before and shows Dick Lepsy at age 33. It was taken in August of 1969.
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Things we don’t know about Dick Lepsy:
Whereabouts after October of 1969 – Unknown
Skydiving experience –Unknown
Appearance after 1969 (i.e. hairstyle, weight) – Unknown
Activity after November of 1971 - Unknown
Below are the last known photographs of Dick Lepsy, taken in August of 1969, two months before he disappeared.
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does anyone know the last time someone was missing in that area around the time Lepsy disappeared, any prior, or after?
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does anyone know the last time someone was missing in that area around the time Lepsy disappeared, any prior, or after?
Two girls disappeared two days after Lepsy's disappearance (Halloween 1969), about an hour east of Grayling. Halloween-mystery-where-are-girls-who-vanished-from-oscoda-michigan-45-years-ago/ (http://www.cbsnews.com/news/halloween-mystery-where-are-girls-who-vanished-from-oscoda-michigan-45-years-ago/)
Other than that, there are no other missing persons from Northern Michigan until 1974, when 18 year old Perry Corlew disappeared from Grayling Michigan. Missing-in-northern-michigan-perry-corlew (http://www.9and10news.com/story/25394446/missing-in-northern-michigan-perry-corlew)
In a strange twist of fate, Lisa Lepsy, daughter of Dick Lepsy, worked at a pizza place with Perry Corlew when he disappeared, so she has close personal links with both of Grayling's missing persons. :o
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Interesting response on Perry in the comments...
I have to agree with 12345. I think Perry wanted to leave the past behind him and start a new life somewhere else. He called his brother years ago. The call was a message that he was OK.
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Interesting response on Perry in the comments...
I have to agree with 12345. I think Perry wanted to leave the past behind him and start a new life somewhere else. He called his brother years ago. The call was a message that he was OK.
Our two missing persons on this forum (Mel Wilson and Dick Lepsy) allegedly did that exactly. If Perry did do that, at least he eventually contacted his brother (I don't think he did), unlike the two gentlemen mentioned above. This does lead to an interesting question though. How many suspects have been brought forward who haven't been seen since Thanksgiving 1971? I've heard the word "legions" thrown around but haven't seen or heard a single name, except those two mentioned above. Where are all these "suspects" that disappeared around the time of the skyjacking that fit the Cooper description?
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Things to ponder:
The FBI was originally looking for someone from the Midwest because the Cooper suspect had no discernible accent.
-Dick Lepsy grew up in Chicago and lived in Michigan.
The Cooper suspect was described as “swarthy” or having an “olive complexion”.
-Dick Lepsy was allegedly living in Mexico for two years before the hijacking and would have been very tan.
The Cooper suspect demanded “negotiable American currency”, a term thought to be used by someone living in a foreign country.
-Dick Lepsy was allegedly living in Mexico for two years before the hijacking.
The FBI and many experts believe that the Cooper suspect did not survive the jump, so they are looking for a missing person fitting the Cooper suspect’s description.
-Dick Lepsy has not been seen or heard from since the skyjacking and fits the FBI description of the Cooper suspect nearly perfectly.
If you’d like to compare photos of Dick Lepsy to the FBI composite sketches of the Cooper suspect, please go to my website:
Dick Lepsy vs. FBI Cooper sketch (http://Things to ponder:
The FBI was originally looking for someone from the Midwest because the Cooper suspect had no discernable accent.
Dick Lepsy grew up in Chicago and lived in Michigan.
The Cooper suspect was described as “swarthy” or having an “olive complexion”.
Dick Lepsy was allegedly living in Mexico for two years before the hijacking and would have been very tan.
The Cooper suspect demanded “negotiable American currency”, a term thought to be used by someone living in a foreign country.
Dick Lepsy was allegedly living in Mexico for two years before the hijacking.
The FBI and many experts believe that the Cooper suspect did not survive the jump, so they are looking for a missing person fitting the Cooper suspect’s description.
Dick Lepsy has not been seen or heard from since the skyjacking and fits the FBI description of the Cooper suspect nearly perfectly.
If you’d like to compare photos of Dick Lepsy to the FBI composite sketches of the Cooper suspect, please go to my website:
Nonmembers can go here:
http://www.michiganmysteries.com/#/dick-lepsy-vs-dbcooper/4587446203)
Nonmembers can go here:
http://www.michiganmysteries.com/#/dick-lepsy-vs-dbcooper/4587446203
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Swarthy? Says who? Robert Gregory?
Gregory is NOT credible in my opinion, as he told the Seattle Times the day of the skyjacking that he only saw the hijacker from the front of the plane when he stood up to disembark. I believe everything he said is suspect, including the FBI testimony that put him in seat 18 C with a few other people. Himms has never explained how everybody fit there, but Ralph claims DBC was in 18c, Bill Mitchell had his books in 18c, and Gregory says he was sitting there, too!
"Negotiable American currency" is also suspect. As Georger says, "Source, please."
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Swarthy? Says who? Robert Gregory?
Gregory is NOT credible in my opinion, as he told the Seattle Times the day of the skyjacking that he only saw the hijacker from the front of the plane when he stood up to disembark. I believe everything he said is suspect, including the FBI testimony that put him in seat 18 C with a few other people. Himms has never explained how everybody fit there, but Ralph claims DBC was in 18c, Bill Mitchell had his books in 18c, and Gregory says he was sitting there, too!
"Negotiable American currency" is also suspect. As Georger says, "Source, please."
Good points, Bruce.
A couple synonyms of "Swarthy" are "Olive-skinned" and "Tan". "Swarthy" was used in many newspaper articles of the day to describe the Cooper suspect. Example: Chicago Tribune article d-b-cooper-still-wanted-if-hes-alive (http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1976/11/26/page/1/article/d-b-cooper-still-wanted-if-hes-alive)
At the 27:20 mark of the following interview with FBI Agent Carr, Carr references "swarthy":
StevenRinehart.com Larry Carr Interview (http://www.stevenrinehart.com/uploads/LarryCarrInterview.mp3)
Citizensleuths.com says this about the ransom money:
“Cooper requested "negotiable American currency". This was the most notable line to come out of the Cooper transcripts where passengers on the plane, including the flight attendants, stated that Cooper had no distinguishable accent.”
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I thought "negotiable American currency" came out of Florence's notes in the cockpit; that it was her interpretation of what Cooper was demanding. It's in the transcripts? I'll have to check.
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Things to ponder:
The FBI was originally looking for someone from the Midwest because the Cooper suspect had no discernible accent.
-Dick Lepsy grew up in Chicago and lived in Michigan.
The Cooper suspect was described as “swarthy” or having an “olive complexion”.
-Dick Lepsy was allegedly living in Mexico for two years before the hijacking and would have been very tan.
The Cooper suspect demanded “negotiable American currency”, a term thought to be used by someone living in a foreign country.
-Dick Lepsy was allegedly living in Mexico for two years before the hijacking.
The FBI and many experts believe that the Cooper suspect did not survive the jump, so they are looking for a missing person fitting the Cooper suspect’s description.
-Dick Lepsy has not been seen or heard from since the skyjacking and fits the FBI description of the Cooper suspect nearly perfectly.
If you’d like to compare photos of Dick Lepsy to the FBI composite sketches of the Cooper suspect, please go to my website:
Dick Lepsy vs. FBI Cooper sketch (http://Things to ponder:
The FBI was originally looking for someone from the Midwest because the Cooper suspect had no discernable accent.
Dick Lepsy grew up in Chicago and lived in Michigan.
The Cooper suspect was described as “swarthy” or having an “olive complexion”.
Dick Lepsy was allegedly living in Mexico for two years before the hijacking and would have been very tan.
The Cooper suspect demanded “negotiable American currency”, a term thought to be used by someone living in a foreign country.
Dick Lepsy was allegedly living in Mexico for two years before the hijacking.
The FBI and many experts believe that the Cooper suspect did not survive the jump, so they are looking for a missing person fitting the Cooper suspect’s description.
Dick Lepsy has not been seen or heard from since the skyjacking and fits the FBI description of the Cooper suspect nearly perfectly.
If you’d like to compare photos of Dick Lepsy to the FBI composite sketches of the Cooper suspect, please go to my website:
Nonmembers can go here:
http://www.michiganmysteries.com/#/dick-lepsy-vs-dbcooper/4587446203)
Nonmembers can go here:
http://www.michiganmysteries.com/#/dick-lepsy-vs-dbcooper/4587446203
If the Cooper suspect landed in a body of water and did not survive, and was someone like Dick Lepsy, there would be zero evidence to connect the skyjacking to the perpetrator. A few people, family and friends, would see a resemblance between this person and the FBI sketches, but wouldn't give the event which happened over 2000 miles away another thought. That's only if they saw the sketches, which could be unlikely considering how archaic the news media of the early 1970s was.
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I just wanted to share this very well written and insightful article written by Andrade1812:
Dick Lepsy: Not DB Cooper (https://martinandrade.wordpress.com/2015/09/16/dick-lepsy-not-db-cooper/)
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Thanks,
And I'd like to mention that, of the named suspects for DB Cooper, Lepsy is the closest fit we have to the physical description given by eyewitnesses (something I didn't emphasize in the post).
My takeaway from looking at Lepsy is simply the need to "back engineer" how someone without any skydiving or aviation knowledge could commit this crime. What reference materials, what research, who would they need to talk to, etc. If Himmelsbach is right, and DB Cooper was a copycat, he had two weeks to put everything together. (BTW, I don't think RH is right about that.)
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Don Burnworth wins the FBI Cooper poster lookalike contest IMHO. He was a 727 pilot AND 727 systems expert, having obtained a patent on improving the electrical system.
377
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Thanks,
And I'd like to mention that, of the named suspects for DB Cooper, Lepsy is the closest fit we have to the physical description given by eyewitnesses (something I didn't emphasize in the post).
My takeaway from looking at Lepsy is simply the need to "back engineer" how someone without any skydiving or aviation knowledge could commit this crime. What reference materials, what research, who would they need to talk to, etc. If Himmelsbach is right, and DB Cooper was a copycat, he had two weeks to put everything together. (BTW, I don't think RH is right about that.)
I don't agree on the likeness of Lepsy, but I agree on the latter.
It's hard to imagine how any of the copycats could learn how to do the Cooper jack in two weeks. Robb Heady had 160 jumps prior and a friend with a 357; and another who told him the radio frequencies to relay to the pilots to get them headed towards SFO.
McCoy had plenty of time, and he used it well - skydiving lessons and practice jumps in the fall of 1971, combat experience, and flying ability. What remains unclear to me is how he learned so much of the finer details about DB Cooper - so much so that McCoy's jump seemed to be an improvement over Cooper. Such as where to place the fuel trucks, note-taking and recall, crowd control, where to sit on the plane for maximum surveillance, etc. When you look at all the copycats, only McCoy, and possibly Hahnemann, really evolved past Cooper, taking lessons learned and applying them.
So, the Big Question for me is: Where did McCoy learn how to be a highly skilled skyjacker? Newspaper accounts of Norjak??? I've never seen them. What I've read from those days are just general pieces of information, not a detailed handbook on how best to do a hijacking successfully.
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I just wanted to share this very well written and insightful article written by Andrade1812:
Dick Lepsy: Not DB Cooper (https://martinandrade.wordpress.com/2015/09/16/dick-lepsy-not-db-cooper/)
Here is the article's address for non-members:
https://martinandrade.wordpress.com/2015/09/16/dick-lepsy-not-db-cooper/
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Bruce wrote: "So, the Big Question for me is: Where did McCoy learn how to be a highly skilled skyjacker?"
That's a really good question Bruce. It would be interesting to see what he could have learned from news accounts. He clearly studied the Cooper skyjack, but was it just from public accounts? Or might he have obtained a first person account? Doubtful but an intriguing possibility. Sumthin just smells fishy about that Vegas trip.
McCoy really nailed it. Tossed the trackable radio beacons, landed near home, escaped immediate capture, retrieved the loot. It was an amazingly effective mission execution. His big mouth got him busted. Kinda dumb to have kept the loot at home too. If they hadn't found the loot was there enough evidence for a conviction? Your thoughts Bruce?
Burnworth looks sooo much like the composite, at least to me. He also had intimate knowledge of 727 systems and was a 727 rated airline captain. But nothing ties him directly to the crime.
So many Cooper possibilities.
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McCoy really nailed it. Tossed the trackable radio beacons, landed near home, escaped immediate capture, retrieved the loot. It was an amazingly effective mission execution. His big mouth got him busted. Kinda dumb to have kept the loot at home too. If they hadn't found the loot was there enough evidence for a conviction? Your thoughts Bruce?
Burnworth looks sooo much like the composite, at least to me. He also had intimate knowledge of 727 systems and was a 727 rated airline captain. But nothing ties him directly to the crime.
So many Cooper possibilities.
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McCoy and Burnworth were both eliminated as suspects by the FBI. Other than that, they look pretty good. The 29 year old, blue eyed McCoy is a no-brainer and with all his intimate knowledge of the 727, wouldn't Burnworth have known how to deploy the aft stairs by himself? His crooked nose in his mugshot doesn't help much either. I don't remember any eyewitnesses mentioning that.
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McCoy was a pilot, and he was an experienced jumper. I believe he jumped from a higher altitude as well. these factors gave him the edge. he practically flew the plane from the back. big difference in what Cooper did...
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McCoy really nailed it. Tossed the trackable radio beacons, landed near home, escaped immediate capture, retrieved the loot. It was an amazingly effective mission execution. His big mouth got him busted. Kinda dumb to have kept the loot at home too. If they hadn't found the loot was there enough evidence for a conviction? Your thoughts Bruce?
Burnworth looks sooo much like the composite, at least to me. He also had intimate knowledge of 727 systems and was a 727 rated airline captain. But nothing ties him directly to the crime.
So many Cooper possibilities.
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McCoy and Burnworth were both eliminated as suspects by the FBI. Other than that, they look pretty good. The 29 year old, blue eyed McCoy is a no-brainer and with all his intimate knowledge of the 727, wouldn't Burnworth have known how to deploy the aft stairs by himself? His crooked nose in his mugshot doesn't help much either. I don't remember any eyewitnesses mentioning that.
I look at Burnworth and think "man with busted face." When I spend some time and look beyond the crooked nose, I can see the resemblance to the sketch. But, people remember faces as caricatures, and the defining feature of Mr. Burnworth is that nose. I can't imagine any eyewitness not mentioning it.
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Bruce wrote: "So, the Big Question for me is: Where did McCoy learn how to be a highly skilled skyjacker?"
That's a really good question Bruce. It would be interesting to see what he could have learned from news accounts. He clearly studied the Cooper skyjack, but was it just from public accounts? Or might he have obtained a first person account? Doubtful but an intriguing possibility. Sumthin just smells fishy about that Vegas trip.
McCoy really nailed it. Tossed the trackable radio beacons, landed near home, escaped immediate capture, retrieved the loot. It was an amazingly effective mission execution. His big mouth got him busted. Kinda dumb to have kept the loot at home too. If they hadn't found the loot was there enough evidence for a conviction? Your thoughts Bruce?
Burnworth looks sooo much like the composite, at least to me. He also had intimate knowledge of 727 systems and was a 727 rated airline captain. But nothing ties him directly to the crime.
So many Cooper possibilities.
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Could McCoy have been convicted if the loot wasn't found? Hmm - you're the attorney, Three-Seven-Seven - what do you think?
I would say, yes. LE would have to explore all of the commentaries coming from Van Ieperen, the sister-in-law, and Gawd knows what the wifey was doing and saying....keep him under surveillance, get evidence from the plane, eye witnesses - y'know the whole Law and Order/NCIS package.
BTW: according to Rhodes, the feds were digging in the backyard looking for the loot while the McCoys were stashing it in a cardboard box and the stove pipe, sooooooo the loose lips were sinking the ship pretty quickly.
For the record, I don't think McCoy, Burnworth, Barb, Kenny, Ted, Lepsy or any of the popular suspects is DB Cooper. We have to look more deeply. I think Larry Carr was naïve when he thought the public would present a "father, brother, uncle, husband" who fits the profile and was missing on Thanksgiving Day. I think the real DB Cooper is a much more secretive and creative individual. I doubt that DB was a white, middle-class suburbanite like us.
I just saw the Bourne Identity on Netflix last night - NOW, that's the kind of guy we should be looking for - deep cover, covert ops, never talks, cool as a cucumber, a well-trained gentleman with very unusual skills. Member of an elite team - a super-SOG. A special team from Delta Force? A guy that Billy Waugh drank beers with in Saigon and wasn't mentioned in his book? That kind of guy. A guy who is not part of our world, so far off our radar screen that he is never considered for Cooper. Like a guy who stares at goats at Ft Bragg.
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I look at Burnworth and think "man with busted face." When I spend some time and look beyond the crooked nose, I can see the resemblance to the sketch. But, people remember faces as caricatures, and the defining feature of Mr. Burnworth is that nose. I can't imagine any eyewitness not mentioning it.
I agree Andrade. I don't think Burnworth is DB Cooper, either. But his is an interesting story. I talked to one guy in Kansas City, off-the-record, who told me he wouldn't be surprised if the family of Don's ex was involved. Apparently, the slime runs pretty deep, along with their cover story.
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I look at Burnworth and think "man with busted face." When I spend some time and look beyond the crooked nose, I can see the resemblance to the sketch. But, people remember faces as caricatures, and the defining feature of Mr. Burnworth is that nose. I can't imagine any eyewitness not mentioning it.
I agree Andrade. I don't think Burnworth is DB Cooper, either. But his is an interesting story. I talked to one guy in Kansas City, off-the-record, who told me he wouldn't be surprised if the family of Don's ex was involved. Apparently, the slime runs pretty deep, along with their cover story.
Several DB Cooper suspects sure have had "interesting" female partners. Burnworth's ex and McCoy's wife for sure. I guess you could include Jo too. ;)
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What the latest with Marla Cooper? Is she still promoting LD as DBC? It was really fun talking with her at the Portland Symposium. What a dynamo.
We could do a calendar of NORJACK beauties. Marla, Musica, and certainly Jo in her younger days. Karen McCoy, Vicki, Carol "Abacadabra" and Orange 1 too. Any other nominations? I'm sure we can find 12.
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What the latest with Marla Cooper? Is she still promoting LD as DBC? It was really fun talking with her at the Portland Symposium. What a dynamo.
We could do a calendar of NORJACK beauties. Marla, Musica, and certainly Jo in her younger days. Karen McCoy, Vicki, Carol "Abacadabra" and Orange 1 too. Any other nominations? I'm sure we can find 12.
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I'm friends with Marla on Facebook. I just took a look at her page. If I had no idea who she was, I could not look at her Facebook page and get any indication of her claims about uncle LD without going way way back.
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I stand corrected. I just noticed the image in her sunglasses. Pretty cool, really.
(https://fbcdn-profile-a.akamaihd.net/hprofile-ak-xfa1/v/t1.0-1/c32.19.238.238/s160x160/394367_2926207405127_310382778_n.jpg?oh=35462980e3dd0dc053bec3d1e2c8cb1f&oe=5686AD6C&__gda__=1453053984_92a60f9bdb6d03ddec86fcc3e9ce7651)
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I stand corrected. I just noticed the image in her sunglasses. Pretty cool, really.
(https://fbcdn-profile-a.akamaihd.net/hprofile-ak-xfa1/v/t1.0-1/c32.19.238.238/s160x160/394367_2926207405127_310382778_n.jpg?oh=35462980e3dd0dc053bec3d1e2c8cb1f&oe=5686AD6C&__gda__=1453053984_92a60f9bdb6d03ddec86fcc3e9ce7651)
Clever girl that Marla! C L E V E R INDEED...
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I stand corrected. I just noticed the image in her sunglasses. Pretty cool, really.
(https://fbcdn-profile-a.akamaihd.net/hprofile-ak-xfa1/v/t1.0-1/c32.19.238.238/s160x160/394367_2926207405127_310382778_n.jpg?oh=35462980e3dd0dc053bec3d1e2c8cb1f&oe=5686AD6C&__gda__=1453053984_92a60f9bdb6d03ddec86fcc3e9ce7651)
Wow....I NEVER noticed that image before, and I'm friends with her on Facebook.
Marla seems to have dropped it. I messaged her a year ago and invited her to join this forum telling her story would be scrutinized , but she wouldn't get the abuse she did on DZ. She never answered. A year or so before that I asked her about her book. She said maybe she'd shoot for the 50th anniversary. To me, that means should could have added " or never".
The thing with Marla (and I realize this is in the wrong category, so move it if you wish) is I've always wondered what she told the FBI that so interested them in her story. I don't think she even knows, but it all happened after Carr was no longer on the case and the FBI had returned the case to the back burner. Even if she no longer suspects her uncle was Cooper, she might have told them something that was never made public.
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I think two things captured the FBI's attention in regard to LD Cooper, and nothing that Marla actually said had anything to do with it.
Here is what I think happened with the FBI:
1. First, the FBI went ga-ga because an FBI agent was touting LD Cooper as DB Cooper. This agent was involved with Marla and her chief investigator, Arlen Dorney, and put the LD dossier in an exalted light. But the FBI agent was a dud. He had no basic information or facts, such as height, weight, hair, build, etc. No DL, no military records, etc., so it fell apart under scrutiny. (Big Question: who was the FBI agent??? Yes, he was allegedly an under-cover cop in the Organized Crime Division, according to Dorney. But, I recently asked the former director of the OCD, Tom Fuentes about this agent, and Tom had nothing substantive to offer.)
2. Marla, herself. As I have written many times, I believe the LD Cooper episode evolved into a Psi-ops thing. I think the FBI realized in June 2011 that Marla could sell their spin job to the public. Goal: bury the DB Cooper legend once and for all. I know at least one women here in Cooper Country who is totally convinced that DB Cooper was a drunk, good ol' boy logger from Sister, Oregon. LD? DB? what's the difference? In some people's mind there is no difference. The need to neutralize cognitive dissonance trumps facts quite often.
Further, Geoffrey participated in this by having his book to come out one week after Marla came out to the world. GG was ubiquitous, appearing on the op-ed pages of both the New York Times and Wall Street Journal on the same day, touting DB Cooper. It all built to a renewed excitement and swirled around the planet. Then, when it died down, GG invited Marla to speak at the Symposium in November, and she was back on the front pages.
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I stand corrected. I just noticed the image in her sunglasses. Pretty cool, really.
(https://fbcdn-profile-a.akamaihd.net/hprofile-ak-xfa1/v/t1.0-1/c32.19.238.238/s160x160/394367_2926207405127_310382778_n.jpg?oh=35462980e3dd0dc053bec3d1e2c8cb1f&oe=5686AD6C&__gda__=1453053984_92a60f9bdb6d03ddec86fcc3e9ce7651)
Clever girl that Marla! C L E V E R INDEED...
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Yup.
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What the latest with Marla Cooper? Is she still promoting LD as DBC? It was really fun talking with her at the Portland Symposium. What a dynamo.
We could do a calendar of NORJACK beauties. Marla, Musica, and certainly Jo in her younger days. Karen McCoy, Vicki, Carol "Abacadabra" and Orange 1 too. Any other nominations? I'm sure we can find 12.
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Isn't this a little trashy and sexist, Three-Seven-Seven? Nevertheless, how can you overlook Miss Amazona?
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I stand corrected. I just noticed the image in her sunglasses. Pretty cool, really.
(https://fbcdn-profile-a.akamaihd.net/hprofile-ak-xfa1/v/t1.0-1/c32.19.238.238/s160x160/394367_2926207405127_310382778_n.jpg?oh=35462980e3dd0dc053bec3d1e2c8cb1f&oe=5686AD6C&__gda__=1453053984_92a60f9bdb6d03ddec86fcc3e9ce7651)
Wow....I NEVER noticed that image before, and I'm friends with her on Facebook.
Marla seems to have dropped it. I messaged her a year ago and invited her to join this forum telling her story would be scrutinized , but she wouldn't get the abuse she did on DZ. She never answered. A year or so before that I asked her about her book. She said maybe she'd shoot for the 50th anniversary. To me, that means should could have added " or never".
The thing with Marla (and I realize this is in the wrong category, so move it if you wish) is I've always wondered what she told the FBI that so interested them in her story. I don't think she even knows, but it all happened after Carr was no longer on the case and the FBI had returned the case to the back burner. Even if she no longer suspects her uncle was Cooper, she might have told them something that was never made public.
I noticed the image as soon as I became friends with her on Facebook. It is the image she had taken by her agent, Gay Pasley, and will be on the cover of the book she was writing, "DB's Niece: The Hijacked Heart in my Head". The photos were taken in January of 2012. She finished the book in December of 2012 and sent it out to her agent to shop for a publisher.
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I stand corrected. I just noticed the image in her sunglasses. Pretty cool, really.
(https://fbcdn-profile-a.akamaihd.net/hprofile-ak-xfa1/v/t1.0-1/c32.19.238.238/s160x160/394367_2926207405127_310382778_n.jpg?oh=35462980e3dd0dc053bec3d1e2c8cb1f&oe=5686AD6C&__gda__=1453053984_92a60f9bdb6d03ddec86fcc3e9ce7651)
Wow....I NEVER noticed that image before, and I'm friends with her on Facebook.
Marla seems to have dropped it. I messaged her a year ago and invited her to join this forum telling her story would be scrutinized , but she wouldn't get the abuse she did on DZ. She never answered. A year or so before that I asked her about her book. She said maybe she'd shoot for the 50th anniversary. To me, that means should could have added " or never".
The thing with Marla (and I realize this is in the wrong category, so move it if you wish) is I've always wondered what she told the FBI that so interested them in her story. I don't think she even knows, but it all happened after Carr was no longer on the case and the FBI had returned the case to the back burner. Even if she no longer suspects her uncle was Cooper, she might have told them something that was never made public.
For whatever it's worth Im glad you issued the invite. She certainly would be welcome here. She wouldnt be attacked as she was on DZ.
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What the latest with Marla Cooper? Is she still promoting LD as DBC? It was really fun talking with her at the Portland Symposium. What a dynamo.
We could do a calendar of NORJACK beauties. Marla, Musica, and certainly Jo in her younger days. Karen McCoy, Vicki, Carol "Abacadabra" and Orange 1 too. Any other nominations? I'm sure we can find 12.
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Isn't this a little trashy and sexist, Three-Seven-Seven? Nevertheless, how can you overlook Miss Amazona?
Of course she's included. I just forgot. Been so long since she posted. Any woman who can do a standup landing under a C-9 canopy is beautiful in my book.
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I stand corrected. I just noticed the image in her sunglasses. Pretty cool, really.
(https://fbcdn-profile-a.akamaihd.net/hprofile-ak-xfa1/v/t1.0-1/c32.19.238.238/s160x160/394367_2926207405127_310382778_n.jpg?oh=35462980e3dd0dc053bec3d1e2c8cb1f&oe=5686AD6C&__gda__=1453053984_92a60f9bdb6d03ddec86fcc3e9ce7651)
Wow....I NEVER noticed that image before, and I'm friends with her on Facebook.
Marla seems to have dropped it. I messaged her a year ago and invited her to join this forum telling her story would be scrutinized , but she wouldn't get the abuse she did on DZ. She never answered. A year or so before that I asked her about her book. She said maybe she'd shoot for the 50th anniversary. To me, that means should could have added " or never".
The thing with Marla (and I realize this is in the wrong category, so move it if you wish) is I've always wondered what she told the FBI that so interested them in her story. I don't think she even knows, but it all happened after Carr was no longer on the case and the FBI had returned the case to the back burner. Even if she no longer suspects her uncle was Cooper, she might have told them something that was never made public.
I noticed the image as soon as I became friends with her on Facebook. It is the image she had taken by her agent, Gay Pasley, and will be on the cover of the book she was writing, "DB's Niece: The Hijacked Heart in my Head". The photos were taken in January of 2012. She finished the book in December of 2012 and sent it out to her agent to shop for a publisher.
Thanks for the update, EVick.
BTW, I just noticed that you are friends with a LOT more people than I.
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Marla posted this in June 2013:
"PLEASE WATCH!!!!!
I will make an announcement VERY soon about my book, "DB's Niece: the hijacked heart in my head." You'll be able to purchase it on Amazon. Part of the proceeds will go to The Wounded Warrior Project. Meanwhile, please see the following episode of "America's Book of Secrets" on The History Channel 2. Note: there is a narration script error RE: I never saw either of my two uncles again, which is not correct. Otherwise, It's a good teaser! I hope you enjoy it, and tell your friends!"
http://www.history.com/shows/americas-book-of-secrets/videos/americas-book-of-secrets-lost-treasures#americas-book-of-secrets-lost-treasures
I hope she finds a more efficient charity than Wounded Warrior Project.
http://www.itstactical.com/centcom/news/as-a-disabled-veteran-i-no-longer-support-wounded-warrior-project/
https://localtvwtkr.files.wordpress.com/2015/04/wwp-form-990.pdf
All these DB Cooper relatives, a niece (Marla) , a wife (Jo) and a son (Bradley). Maybe they could have a family reunion? ;)
It looks like the days of skydiver jet airliner jumps are over. The AmeriJet 727 used for jumps at WFFC is now derelict and for sale with no viable flying future, and Perris Valley DZ just sold their DC-9, the one I jumped from. Soooooo glad I got to skydive from that plane while it was operating as a jumpship.
Airworthy 727s are getting rare. Saw a souped up one at SDF last week, winglets added! It was a cargo ship, no passenger windows and a big freight door forward. Watched it take off, pretty smokey for a 2015 era jet. Might have the old engines still.
There is a Gulfstream exec jet that has an FAA approved mod for dropping skydivers: http://www.flyingmag.com/news/parachute-jumping-gulfstream
Can anyone guess who bought the first G-5 skydiving mod? The paint job in the article gives a possible clue.
Nice WFFC DC 9 exit pic, lots of detail: http://www.airportspotting.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/DC-9-20_CraigOBrien.jpg
What a fun jump. I was kinda balking at the price, $100 for me and $100 for my camera flyer, but I took the plunge and it was worth every cent.
The DC 9 was a long way from the DZ by the time I exited, but I made it back, just barely. You could see about 85 canopies strung out in long long line.
Good times at WFFC in 2006. http://www.freefall.com/index.php
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Thanks,
And I'd like to mention that, of the named suspects for DB Cooper, Lepsy is the closest fit we have to the physical description given by eyewitnesses (something I didn't emphasize in the post).
My takeaway from looking at Lepsy is simply the need to "back engineer" how someone without any skydiving or aviation knowledge could commit this crime. What reference materials, what research, who would they need to talk to, etc. If Himmelsbach is right, and DB Cooper was a copycat, he had two weeks to put everything together. (BTW, I don't think RH is right about that.)
Well put. The problem is Dick Lepsy has been gone 45 years, and we know nothing about the two years between his disappearance and the skyjacking. It is also difficult to find detailed information about an obscure individual who hasn't been seen in four decades. I do know the Lepsy's lived about a mile from the Grayling Army Airfield and Lepsy excelled in the ROTC Program at his high school, but I can find no record of parachute training at the airfield or in ROTC.
Some of the new information released on this forum recently reflects favorably on Lepsy. Alice Hancock says the Cooper suspect appears to be "age 38-45", and eyewitness Bill Mitchell says Cooper appeared to be "35 to 40". Lepsy would have been 35 years old at the time of the skyjacking, but looked like he was in his 40s.
The interview where Anderson stated that "they had not reached Portland proper but were definitely in the suburbs or immediate vicinity thereof", also sheds an interesting light on the Tina Bar money find and when the Cooper suspect exited the plane. It strengthens the theory that Cooper landed in the water and did not survive the jump.
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The interview where Anderson stated that "they had not reached Portland proper but were definitely in the suburbs or immediate vicinity thereof", also sheds an interesting light on the Tina Bar money find and when the Cooper suspect exited the plane. It strengthens the theory that Cooper landed in the water and did not survive the jump.
All believable evidence supports Cooper having jumped just south (upstream) of the money find location at Tina Bar and probably over the Columbia River itself, or within a very few feet of it.
But the fact that the money find location was actually HIGHER than the Columbia River's water level on the evening of November 24, 1971, by itself, proves that Cooper did not land in the river proper. If he had landed in the river, he would probably have retained enough floatation capability to have drifted downstream (north) of Tina Bar before daybreak.
The above indicates that Cooper landed on solid ground, but within a very few feet of the river, that was a number of feet HIGHER than the point where the money was eventually found at Tina Bar.
The unique nature of the terrain in the Tina Bar area, plus the probable flight path route, suggests that Cooper was a no-pull and died in the jump. Otherwise, there are major problems in fitting the few known "facts" together in a meaningful manner.
Also, all of the above has been discussed at length previously on this forum and DZ.
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The interview where Anderson stated that "they had not reached Portland proper but were definitely in the suburbs or immediate vicinity thereof", also sheds an interesting light on the Tina Bar money find and when the Cooper suspect exited the plane. It strengthens the theory that Cooper landed in the water and did not survive the jump.
All believable evidence supports Cooper having jumped just south (upstream) of the money find location at Tina Bar and probably over the Columbia River itself, or within a very few feet of it.
But the fact that the money find location was actually HIGHER than the Columbia River's water level on the evening of November 24, 1971, by itself, proves that Cooper did not land in the river proper. If he had landed in the river, he would probably have retained enough floatation capability to have drifted downstream (north) of Tina Bar before daybreak.
The above indicates that Cooper landed on solid ground, but within a very few feet of the river, that was a number of feet HIGHER than the point where the money was eventually found at Tina Bar.
The unique nature of the terrain in the Tina Bar area, plus the probable flight path route, suggests that Cooper was a no-pull and died in the jump. Otherwise, there are major problems in fitting the few known "facts" together in a meaningful manner.
Also, all of the above has been discussed at length previously on this forum and DZ.
well stated - 8)
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The interview where Anderson stated that "they had not reached Portland proper but were definitely in the suburbs or immediate vicinity thereof", also sheds an interesting light on the Tina Bar money find and when the Cooper suspect exited the plane. It strengthens the theory that Cooper landed in the water and did not survive the jump.
The unique nature of the terrain in the Tina Bar area, plus the probable flight path route, suggests that Cooper was a no-pull and died in the jump. Otherwise, there are major problems in fitting the few known "facts" together in a meaningful manner.
Also, all of the above has been discussed at length previously on this forum and DZ.
So we should be looking for a missing person who fits the FBI's description of the Cooper suspect?
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The interview where Anderson stated that "they had not reached Portland proper but were definitely in the suburbs or immediate vicinity thereof", also sheds an interesting light on the Tina Bar money find and when the Cooper suspect exited the plane. It strengthens the theory that Cooper landed in the water and did not survive the jump.
The unique nature of the terrain in the Tina Bar area, plus the probable flight path route, suggests that Cooper was a no-pull and died in the jump. Otherwise, there are major problems in fitting the few known "facts" together in a meaningful manner.
Also, all of the above has been discussed at length previously on this forum and DZ.
So we should be looking for a missing person who fits the FBI's description of the Cooper suspect?
Missing person or untouchable person? Yes I know Carr came to DZ on the premise somebody might remember something ... but he never really stressed "missing". All those shown hijacked once ... and maybe twice?
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Here's what Carr said about missing persons...
One of the factors in the case that has not been resolved is the missing person aspect. It would stand to reason if DB Cooper went missing, someone would miss him. That does not seem to be the case here. It seems as if no one has missed him or did not realize their missing loved one was in fact DB Cooper. That means if DB died the night he jumped he most likely was a loner with few ties to anyone or anywhere.
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Here's what Carr said about missing persons...
One of the factors in the case that has not been resolved is the missing person aspect. It would stand to reason if DB Cooper went missing, someone would miss him. That does not seem to be the case here. It seems as if no one has missed him or did not realize their missing loved one was in fact DB Cooper. That means if DB died the night he jumped he most likely was a loner with few ties to anyone or anywhere.
Makes sense to me!
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Here's what Carr said about missing persons...
One of the factors in the case that has not been resolved is the missing person aspect. It would stand to reason if DB Cooper went missing, someone would miss him. That does not seem to be the case here. It seems as if no one has missed him or did not realize their missing loved one was in fact DB Cooper. That means if DB died the night he jumped he most likely was a loner with few ties to anyone or anywhere.
I take it as gospel that 'we' (those who have been with for years) know next to nothing about the total pool of suspects the FBI looked at, the FBI's criteria for looking at a person, etc etc etc. And that is a very important part of the DB Cooper case. Our efforts have almost entirely been restricted to looking at person brought to the social media by one person or another ...
The only exception to this rule I know of is the comment Mitchell made to WSHM, that 'a larger percentage of the photos shown him were suspects in the Eugene area'. Beyond that what do we really know about how the FBI managed their search of suspects, what categories of suspects they looked at, etc etc etc? We know almost nothing?
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Here's what Carr said about missing persons...
One of the factors in the case that has not been resolved is the missing person aspect. It would stand to reason if DB Cooper went missing, someone would miss him. That does not seem to be the case here. It seems as if no one has missed him or did not realize their missing loved one was in fact DB Cooper. That means if DB died the night he jumped he most likely was a loner with few ties to anyone or anywhere.
Makes sense to me!
well Im glad Shutter posted his because that is what I was thinking Carr said (his stance on missing) but I couldnt think of a quote by Carr to back it up with ...
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I have the PDF from WSHS on Carr's posts at dropzone.....
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bx4E4pqVrHVuWW9WVmhVdWd6Y2M/view?usp=sharing
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I have the PDF from WSHS on Carr's posts at dropzone.....
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bx4E4pqVrHVuWW9WVmhVdWd6Y2M/view?usp=sharing
good to have -
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October 29th marks the 46th anniversary of Robert Richard Lepsy's disappearance. Family and friends have not seen or heard from him since that day in 1969. A few family members believe there is a possibility he was robbed and murdered the day he disappeared, which would be a horrible tragedy. A few others believe he ran off to Mexico. One thing is certain, and that is he never contacted any of his loved ones after he disappeared, which is out of character for someone described as a good and loving father.
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There is very little we actually know about D.B. Cooper. We have his physical description, and a few observations made by the eyewitnesses, like “no accent”, and “swarthy”. But there is so much we don’t know, such as:
- His level of skydiving experience
- His motivation for the skyjacking
We seem to project who we think the skyjacker should be on the empty canvas known as D.B. Cooper. I am guilty of doing this as much as anyone.
One thing I refuse to do is say things like “I feel”, “my gut tells me” or “I believe with all my heart”, and I have a hard time taking suspect promoters who say these things seriously. There is no proof that Dick Lepsy is D.B. Cooper, but there’s no proof that any of other so called suspects are either. We just don’t have any proof.
One thing we do have is a gentleman that closely fits the physical description of the Cooper suspect, and hasn’t been seen since the skyjacking. He was impulsive and adventurous enough to allegedly take money from his employer and run off to Mexico.
Attached is a photo of Dick Lepsy at Glen’s Market circa 1966 or 67. Lepsy is on the left.
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There is very little we actually know about D.B. Cooper. We have his physical description, and a few observations made by the eyewitnesses, like “no accent”, and “swarthy”. But there is so much we don’t know, such as:
- His level of skydiving experience
- His motivation for the skyjacking
We seem to project who we think the skyjacker should be on the empty canvas known as D.B. Cooper. I am guilty of doing this as much as anyone.
One thing I refuse to do is say things like “I feel”, “my gut tells me” or “I believe with all my heart”, and I have a hard time taking suspect promoters who say these things seriously. There is no proof that Dick Lepsy is D.B. Cooper, but there’s no proof that any of other so called suspects are either. We just don’t have any proof.
One thing we do have is a gentleman that closely fits the physical description of the Cooper suspect, and hasn’t been seen since the skyjacking. He was impulsive and adventurous enough to allegedly take money from his employer and run off to Mexico.
Attached is a photo of Dick Lepsy at Glen’s Market circa 1966 or 67. Lepsy is on the left.
It's really too bad that others that promote their suspects do not take the same approach as you and Vicki.
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October 29th Marks the 46th anniversary of Dick Lepsy’s disappearance. The photo below is of the Lepsy family during happier times. Dick and Jackie lepsy are both around 27 years old in this photo. Jackie never got over her husband’s disappearance. She never dated or married again. She also kept his clothes in her closet for 17 years, until her daughter convinced her to donate them to the Salvation Army.
In a quiet part of the Elmwood Cemetery, located across the street from the Grayling Army Airfield, in a small town in Northern Michigan, is a headstone with Dick and Jackie’s name inscribed on its face. Underneath Dick’s name the grave is empty, because nobody knows what really happened to him. His body could be in the woods of Northern Michigan, he could have been murdered in Mexico, or perhaps, his body could have ended up in the Columbia River on the evening of November 24th, 1971.
Think it’s a long shot? Consider this. Dick Lepsy closely matches the eyewitness descriptions of the Cooper suspect. In 1969, Dick Lepsy allegedly took someone else’s money and used an aircraft to escape. Lepsy has not been seen or heard from since the 1971 skyjacking. Because of the unusual details of his disappearance, information concerning it was not made public until 2011.
Thank you for your time.
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How did you find out he took a plane? is this new information. can you find out what kind of plane...
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How did you find out he took a plane? is this new information. can you find out what kind of plane...
When Dick Lepsy disappeared, the store safe was found to be jammed shut. A locksmith was called and the safe was opened, and it's contents audited. $2000 appeared to be missing from the safe. The Grayling Police Department and Michigan State Police were called and a joint investigation was launched. After the discovery of Lepsy's car was reported, the police interviewed airport employees. A man fitting Lepy's description flew out the day Lepsy disappeared and his final destination was Mexico. He may have been traveling with a female, though that has not be verified.
Investigation records from both police departments have been purged and most people involved in the investigation have passed away.
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46 years ago today, the man on the left in the photo below vanished from Grayling, Michigan. His name was Dick Lepsy. His car was found a few days later at the Cherry Capitol Airport, unlocked, keys in the ignition, with half a pack of cigarettes on the dash. Dick Lepsy was never seen or heard from again.
Lepsy, a grocery store manager, was a married father of four and well-liked by coworkers, friends and neighbors. Friends and family were shocked when he disappeared. Over the years, theories have been put forth as to what happened to Lepsy. Some believe he ran off to Mexico to start a new life, while others believe he was murdered and his car planted at the airport.
Two years after Lepsy disappeared, the D.B. Cooper skyjacking occurred. The FBI believes the skyjacker did not survive the jump from the 727 and originally was looking for a suspect who was a missing person, from the Midwest, fitting the physical description given by stewardesses who spent hours with the skyjacker noting his appearance. A composite sketch was created from these stewardesses descriptions by having them look through a book of facial features and picking the features they thought resembled the skyjackers. This happened within a couple weeks of the skyjacking, while their memories were fresh. Some eyewitnesses complained the composite sketch was “too thin” and mentioned the skyjacker had a “turkey gobbler” or double chin.
Below is a photo showing Dick Lepsy on the left, approximately four years before the skyjacking. The photo below that compares Cooper composite sketch A (Left) with Dick Lepsy (Right). Could it be? (Think McFly, think!) :)
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Happy Thanksgiving.
Robert Richard Lepsy (http://www.wzzm13.com/story/life/2015/11/24/dick-lepsy-ross-richardson-lisa-db-cooper-grayling-michigan-fbi/75886946/)
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So, Dick, how is Thanksgiving celebrated in Mexico? Hang out with the ex-pats? Drink Tequila? Watch "soccer" at the cantina?
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KING 5 in Seattle picked-up a great story on Lepsy, out of the Midwest. Source is WZZM.
http://www.king5.com/story/life/2015/11/24/dick-lepsy-ross-richardson-lisa-db-cooper-grayling-michigan-fbi/75886946/
Compelling story, well told.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7qO_VIa2S0
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Is it me? Or does Blevs look like Composite B, age-regressed with a moustache? See above video thingy.
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I worked with Ross Richardson and Lisa Lepsy on the Dick Lepsy story.
I was the reporter, and have been working with Ross on this story since last December.
You can watch it here.
http://www.wzzm13.com/longform/life/2015/11/24/dick-lepsy-ross-richardson-lisa-db-cooper-grayling-michigan-fbi/75886946/
I know there's a ton of circumstantial evidence against Ken Christiansen/Bernie Geestman, but Robert Richard Lepsy needs to be strongly considered!! He matches the physical description better than ANY previous suspect. The "men in black" event that occurred while Lisa Lepsy was living in Tennessee is enough for anybody to look deeper into Dick Lepsy.
Dick Lepsy was never considered a "missing person" when he disappeared from Grayling, Michigan in 1969.
The cops thought he left "voluntarily", and ultimately chose to no longer investigate further. Any paper-trail of the brief investigation conducted by the Grayling Police Department has been purged.
This man not only disappeared, his disappearance -- disappeared (if that makes sense).
Dick Lepsy was NEVER added to any "missing person databases", meaning he was literally "off the grid" when the FBI was aggressively interviewing/investigating Cooper suspects 40 years ago.
Furthermore, Dick Lepsy wasn't added to NamUs until 2011 - 42 years AFTER he disappeared.
This man's life needs to be back-engineered and aggressively vetted.
To discard Richard Lepsy, after this story has taken his name public, and linked him to DB Cooper, would be foolish!
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Welcome to the forum Storyteller.
I see a few suspects in the Cooper case that deserve responding to. Lespy seems to fit this category. I like how it's presented. it's not botched up with a bunch of "he said, she said" evidence. we see "tons" of that with the Christiansen story. a lot of it has been debunked.
Vicki Wilson also presents a good case with her father Melvin Wilson.
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I spoke with Vicki Wilson and included a brief comment about Melvin at the bottom of the WZZM Lepsy web story.
I've read that the FBI eliminated Christansen in 2007 because "he didn't match the physical description."
Lepsy matches the physical description to a tee!
If the Seattle FBI wasn't aware of Lepsy before, they are now!
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I've read that the FBI eliminated Christansen in 2007 because "he didn't match the physical description."
He was also eliminated due to the fact of him working for the airline. someone should of noticed him, regardless of what the show Decoded stated.
I'm wondering how much aviation knowledge Lespy had. Cooper had some knowledge of the 727, and it's features. it's still a huge debate on the knowledge Cooper had of parachutes.
I don't know if you had a chance to look at the recently released FBI files from the crew shortly after the hijacking, but they are worth looking into.
The files can be found here http://website.thedbcooperforum.com/Cooper-Vault/
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Thanks for the link.
I will check it out.
Lepsy's knowledge of airlines/planes is unknown.
Lepsy disappeared on October 29, 1969.
Cooper hijacked flight 305 23 months LATER.
What happened to Lepsy during those 23 months?
That's the unanswered question.
Are his remains rotting in a Grayling woods somewhere?
Did he make it to Mexico and start a new life?
Did he learn aviation, take on an alias, and hijack a 727?
Lepsy can't quite be eliminated - yet!
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Thanks for the link.
I will check it out.
Lepsy's knowledge of airlines/planes is unknown.
Lepsy disappeared on October 29, 1969.
Cooper hijacked flight 305 23 months LATER.
What happened to Lepsy during those 23 months?
That's the unanswered question.
Are his remains rotting in a Grayling woods somewhere?
Did he make it to Mexico and start a new life?
Did he learn aviation, take on an alias, and hijack a 727?
Lepsy can't quite be eliminated - yet!
It's hard to say at this point. hopefully more information on his background can be found. Lespy needs a good profile to go by. I seem to recall his wife thinking he might of left for someone else? lots of things to consider.
I originally didn't think Lespy fit due to his age, but I've reconsidered as time has passed for several reasons that go beyond Lespy.
It's hard to say Cooper was in his 30's when they originally gave an age frame of early 50's. if the age is that far off, how far off is the description? where does it end? this case can quickly put you in a straight jacket trying to understand what's going on sometimes :o
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Thanks for the link.
I will check it out.
Lepsy's knowledge of airlines/planes is unknown.
Lepsy disappeared on October 29, 1969.
Cooper hijacked flight 305 23 months LATER.
What happened to Lepsy during those 23 months?
That's the unanswered question.
Are his remains rotting in a Grayling woods somewhere?
Did he make it to Mexico and start a new life?
Did he learn aviation, take on an alias, and hijack a 727?
Lepsy can't quite be eliminated - yet!
It's hard to say at this point. hopefully more information on his background can be found. Lespy needs a good profile to go by. I seem to recall his wife thinking he might of left for someone else? lots of things to consider.
I originally didn't think Lespy fit due to his age, but I've reconsidered as time has passed for several reasons that go beyond Lespy.
It's hard to say Cooper was in his 30's when they originally gave an age frame of early 50's. if the age is that far off, how far off is the description? where does it end? this case can quickly put you in a straight jacket trying to understand what's going on sometimes :o
By the end of this you will be seeing double, hearing voices - having visions, and thinking your mother was DB Cooper@! The vortex is strong - you can have a book too! 377 will back you up. :D
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Hopefully Ross Richardson can continue to leverage his resources and continue to work the Lepsy angle. The WZZM Lepsy story I did went viral, and was picked up by media outlets all over the world. Both the Detroit Free Press and USA TODAY both posted it on their websites. I'm sure the "Christiansen supporters" have seen it by now. Ross Richardson broke the Lepsy angle a while ago, but now it's been given the proper platform to get it to mainstream. We'll see if it gains momentum, or fades away.
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Well to Cooper World, Storyteller.
You and Ross have your work cut-out for yourselves. Not only do you have to prove Lepsy was Cooper, you have to prove the guy lived past 1969! Hable Espanol, Amigo? And you have a MIB, too!! Yee-Gawds!!
A couple of things struck me with your piece at the WZZM, which I saw via KING 5 TV in Seattle. First is your excitement and passion. May it serve you well.
Second, I gather that you spoke with Wayne Walker, whom we know best as "Sluggo." WW is old school and a long-time researcher, but he doesn't seem to be updating his views based on new data or interpretations. He still believes in the Death Woods scenario, and he has been a steadfast supporter of Earl Cossey and his perspective on Cooper's skydiving skills, all of which have been cast into a harsh light in recent years. All well and good, I suppose, but I insist that anyone who says that the Cooper jump was too tough have to also prove how come the copycats who did jump all made it successfully to the ground.
The third thing that impressed me was the traction you got for your story. A LOT of people sent me links, and it's clear to me that mainstream media loves your kind of story, and not so much on other Cooper stories that have occupied our attention over the past few years, such as missing evidence, obvious errors on the flight path and LZ, serious cognitive impairment of witnesses, and blatant mis-direction of the public by the FBI through their pronouncement that Uncle LD was the "most promising" suspect. By the way, I noticed that you omitted that reference in your piece.
And of course, no one wants to talk about Earl Cossey's murder at this point. That puppy is slowly sinking under the waves...
I sense that Richard Lepsy will now be with us through the ages. As a result, I'm adding his story to my book, along with Mel, and Jumpin' Jack Cash - gonna spread the wealth a bit.
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I know there's a ton of circumstantial evidence against Ken Christiansen/Bernie Geestman...
There is?
Like what? The guy was a WW II paratrooper? That's circumstantial evidence he was DB Cooper? I disagree.
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This man's life needs to be back-engineered and aggressively vetted.
I agree. That story will make a great read.
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I know there's a ton of circumstantial evidence against Ken Christiansen/Bernie Geestman...
There is?
Like what? The guy was a WW II paratrooper? That's circumstantial evidence he was DB Cooper? I disagree.
Nothing has ever been VERIFIED with that STORY...It's all based on ONE person speaking for everyone. people need to come forward in order to tell this story. until then, it's just another MYTH.
"Christiansen supporters" have seen it by now
Probably all 3 have seen it by now ;D ;D ;D
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Sometimes a description, or look can throw you for a loop....this guy is unbelievable....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3W_MbtiiNgk
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Yo, Ross,
On the WZZM broadcast I hear that you are calling Dick Lepsy " the best suspect" so far in the investigation.
Okay, how come?
Brown eyes. Check.
Black hair. Check
White, male. Check.
No discernible accent. Check.
Six-foot Check.
180 (-ish) Check.
Wore thin black ties. Check.
What else?
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Hopefully Ross Richardson can continue to leverage his resources and continue to work the Lepsy angle. The WZZM Lepsy story I did went viral, and was picked up by media outlets all over the world. Both the Detroit Free Press and USA TODAY both posted it on their websites. I'm sure the "Christiansen supporters" have seen it by now. Ross Richardson broke the Lepsy angle a while ago, but now it's been given the proper platform to get it to mainstream. We'll see if it gains momentum, or fades away.
Why don't we just admit Donald Trump was DB Cooper ? .......... and get this social media travesty over with? But we can;t do that. The show must go on ................... and on and on and on!
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Who are the Men in Black???
Fiery Object "Janet" met 'em. Now Lisa Lepsy's encountered them. But who are they?
1. DEA agents checking out a drug guy.
2. ICE-y guys before Customs and Immigration became ICE.
3. FBI guys.
4. Detectives from the State Patrol looking kinda undercover?
5. Off-World types, ala cattle mutilation phenomena
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Ross, can you walk us through November 24, 1971 in the Lepsy household? Lisa and her sisters are watching Walter Cronkite and when the DB Cooper sketch comes up they start shouting, "That's Daddy!.
Then what?
Mom calls the cops and inquires about her husband and DB Cooper? Mom curls back into a ball? Kids tell a friend or neighbor?
Grayling cops make a call? Eat another donut? Don't make any connection between Lepsy and Cooper?
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My TV station (WZZM) is very pleased with the web traction the Cooper/Lepsy story has received. I wholeheartedly admit that more needs to be done to vet this theory. Hopefully that will come in time. Ross lives near Grayling, has a close friendship with Lisa Lepsy and is well-researched.
We can't leave it all on Ross, though.
Let's try to hold off judgement and ridicule and see if more dots can be connected.
The Lepsy theory isn't new, but this was the first time it's gone public.
Ross will work very hard to back-engineer this theory, now that the world knows he's the one who broke the theory.
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My TV station (WZZM) is very pleased with the web traction the Cooper/Lepsy story has received. I wholeheartedly admit that more needs to be done to vet this theory. Hopefully that will come in time. Ross lives near Grayling, has a close friendship with Lisa Lepsy and is well-researched.
We can't leave it all on Ross, though.
Let's try to hold off judgement and ridicule and see if more dots can be connected.
The Lepsy theory isn't new, but this was the first time it's gone public.
Ross will work very hard to back-engineer this theory, now that the world knows he's the one who broke the theory.
What I like about Ross is the fact that he doesn't do anything more than tell the story. some of the other suspects (Christiansen) are jammed down the throat, screaming he's Cooper. I like Ross's style and admiration to the family still looking for answers.
This story has a lot more to it than just Cooper. so many unanswered questions to what could of happened to him. I'm honored Ross decided to get involved with this forum. I have my doubts about this, but the message needs to be put out in case someone knows something.
Similar to Vicki's story, closure is needed. If I can do anything to help in this venture. my forum is open to them.
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I made this for Ross a while back...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCCWYAa-DzI
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My TV station (WZZM) is very pleased with the web traction the Cooper/Lepsy story has received. I wholeheartedly admit that more needs to be done to vet this theory. Hopefully that will come in time. Ross lives near Grayling, has a close friendship with Lisa Lepsy and is well-researched.
We can't leave it all on Ross, though.
Let's try to hold off judgement and ridicule and see if more dots can be connected.
The Lepsy theory isn't new, but this was the first time it's gone public.
Ross will work very hard to back-engineer this theory, now that the world knows he's the one who broke the theory.
Finding out where Lepsy was during the two years between his disappearance and the hijacking would solve the mystery with near certainty.
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Pretty much, Andrade, but if the Men in Black couldn't do it, what chance do we have that WZZM and our Under-water Whiz Kid will? They already have their story - and it's a whopper! Carried nationwide, too! Finding where Dick Lepsy actually went is a lot of work for not very much gain, probably.
Can I get an "Amen" on that, Storyteller!
But, if I were going to look for Lepsy, I'd start with drug connections - start with local dealers, State Drug Enforcement projects, etc. Of course, it's all old, but you never know. Look for other scenarios where the MIB showed up. Presumably they were DEA guys or similar, sniffing on a cold lead.
Then I'd head south, make connections, buy a lot of people a lot of Tequila, etc....and try not to get kidnapped or shot. Maybe I could make a bogus WZZM Press Pass and wave that around at the border, as it would certainly trump my Mountain News-WA credentials. See what happens...
...it'd make a good story. Video at 11. Of course.
I'm not intentionally ridiculing anyone here, Brent, but you did START this, you know. I'm just going with the flow.
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Better story, Brent: Forget Cooper. Forget Lepsy. Focus on Lisa and Vicki. Follow their story. Show the world how tough it is to find a missing father, and how "ZERO" the USG can really be when it comes to helping real people with real needs.
Find some Michigan politician to back the effort. Might get some traction AND do some good. For my money, this is the way to get real closure for real families. It sure ain't gonna come through the Gates of Norjak.
I recommend talking with Vicki. The last time I spoke with her on this subject, I understand she and her family were assigned a case manager from some federal agency that assists families who utilize the NAMUS data bank. However, that case manager was getting totally stonewalled by the FBI and other agencies in terms of sharing information. In fact, they weren't returning phone calls, emails, etc. It sounds exactly like me and the FBI over Cooper! SO I FEEL THEIR PAIN!!!
So, let's start naming names, digging into the little office cubicles....let's find Dick Lepsy's trail, or at least the spot where folks stopped looking (which is probably downtown Grayling), or at least where they stopped helping Lisa, which is down in Tampa, I believe.
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All excellent ideas, Bruce! I'm awaiting Ross to post so he can respond to all these comments that have been written here today. All I did was tell HIS story. I'm sure if Ross uncovers any new leads/info on Lepsy, he will contact me and we'll do a follow-up story. Apparently, the Grayling PD no longer has the file on Lepsy (at least that's what they told Ross). When Lepsy's car was found in the Traverse City airport parking lot, it wasn't impounded as evidence. One of Dick Lepsy's friends was allowed to drive it home!! Had the Grayling PD impounded it and dusted it for prints, maybe the Lepsy family would have their answer.
It would not surprise me if starting tomorrow (Monday), other Michigan media outlets start chasing the Cooper/Lepsy story. TV stations in Traverse City & Cadillac, and perhaps Alpena may travel to Grayling.
Hell, maybe CNN, NBC & ABC will be there.
I will say this, Ross' book, "Still Missing" is a worthy read. I was honored he contacted me to tell the TV version of his book.
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I'm pretty good at finding hard to find things. Finding the trail of a person who hasn't been seen or heard from since 1969 has proven challenging. Most everything that has been discovered about Lepsy has been made public. A few personal things have and will be kept private. We’ve talked to everybody who knew him, but we needed to reach out to people who know what happened to him. Brent’s WZZM story will do that. The Crawford County Avalanche ran a story in tandem with Brent’s story (Link below). If something’s going to get someone to talk, these stories will.
That being said, I believe Lepsy is the best Cooper suspect out there right now. As for back engineering his story, we may never be able to do that. But proving Lepsy’s knowledge of 727s and skydiving is irrelevant since we don’t know Cooper’s knowledge of these things. We can guess and state our opinions, but we really don’t know.
Crawfordcountyavalanche.com/Lepsy article (http://www.crawfordcountyavalanche.com/articles/2015/11/27/news/doc565470aa44c68766190025.txt)
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It's being pickup on multiple avenues...
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/12017816/Has-the-mystery-of-DB-Cooper-been-solved.html
http://www.unexplained-mysteries.com/news/288856/new-clues-emerge-in-db-cooper-hijack-mystery
http://www.opposingviews.com/i/society/has-mystery-db-cooper-finally-been-solved-author-says-yes
Has the link to this site been given out? lots of IP's looking at the Lespy thread...
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Ross, can you walk us through November 24, 1971 in the Lepsy household? Lisa and her sisters are watching Walter Cronkite and when the DB Cooper sketch comes up they start shouting, "That's Daddy!.
Then what?
Mom calls the cops and inquires about her husband and DB Cooper? Mom curls back into a ball? Kids tell a friend or neighbor?
Grayling cops make a call? Eat another donut? Don't make any connection between Lepsy and Cooper?
My understanding is this took place a few years later. Just her and a brother or two saw it. They did not bring it to their mother's attention because they thought this information would affect her negatively. Mind you, they didn't jump around yelling "My dad's D.B.Cooper!" They did see a strong resemblance though.
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Just to get my two bits in again and with no offense to anyone, in my opinion, if Cooper is ever identified, his name will be a complete unknown to everyone on this forum.
I must also admit that I am highly committed to the theory that Cooper was no longer breathing after about 8:20 PM PST on November 24, 1971.
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...I believe Lepsy is the best Cooper suspect out there right now. As for back engineering his story, we may never be able to do that. But proving Lepsy’s knowledge of 727s and skydiving is irrelevant since we don’t know Cooper’s knowledge of these things. We can guess and state our opinions, but we really don’t know.
Wow.
That sounds downright evasive, Nimi. Cooper's knowledge of 727s and skydiving is "irrelevant" and unknowable?
Yagottabekiddingme.
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Play the New DB Cooper Game!
Test Your Powers of Deduction! Evaluate DB Cooper's knowledge of 727s and skydiving vs Leading Suspects:
1. Who knew more about the 727, its aft stairs, and flight performance. Rank in order of proven or displayed knowledge:
A. Bill Rataczak
B. Dan Cooper
C. Tina Mucklow
D. Dick Lepsy
E. Paul Soderlind
F. Bobby Blevins
2. Who knew more about skydiving in the PNW in November at 8 pm over the Cascadian foothills in the rain:
A. Earl Cossey
B. Dan Cooper
C. Norman Hayden
D. Ralph Hatley
E. Ted Braden
F. 377
G. Dick Lepsy
H. Ted Mayfield
3. Who had the greatest aggregate levels of skills to successfully steal an airplane:
A. Duane Weber
B. Dick Lepsy
C. Dan Cooper
D. Robb Heady
E. Martin McNally
F. Paul Cini
G. Freddie Hahnemann
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Just to get my two bits in again and with no offense to anyone, in my opinion, if Cooper is ever identified, his name will be a complete unknown to everyone on this forum.
I must also admit that I am highly committed to the theory that Cooper was no longer breathing after about 8:20 PM PST on November 24, 1971.
I would agree with that. The first part especially.
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Just to get my two bits in again and with no offense to anyone, in my opinion, if Cooper is ever identified, his name will be a complete unknown to everyone on this forum.
I must also admit that I am highly committed to the theory that Cooper was no longer breathing after about 8:20 PM PST on November 24, 1971.
It seems very important to the people here that this mystery is solved on their own terms. To me it's pretty simple. If Cooper didn't survive the jump then people fitting the eyewitness description that haven't been seen since Thanksgiving Eve 1971 should be looked at. There are very, very few people in this category, so it shouldn't be too hard. If you look at someone in this category and your gut tells you "No", then ask yourself "Why?" If your answer is "I feel like it isn't him" or "It just couldn't be him" without any facts to back it up, then stand in front of a mirror, take a good look, and ask yourself: "What mysteries have I solved? What cold cases have I cracked?".
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...I believe Lepsy is the best Cooper suspect out there right now. As for back engineering his story, we may never be able to do that. But proving Lepsy’s knowledge of 727s and skydiving is irrelevant since we don’t know Cooper’s knowledge of these things. We can guess and state our opinions, but we really don’t know.
Wow.
That sounds downright evasive, Nimi. Cooper's knowledge of 727s and skydiving is "irrelevant" and unknowable?
Yagottabekiddingme.
If you can't comprehend my statement above, Bruce, then I wonder what else you might be getting wrong about this case. Please reread my statement and think about it a bit.
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This business card now becomes a discussion-point in this case.
Who were the "Men in Black" who ambushed and interrogated Lisa Lepsy about her father, in her Tennessee home, in 1993 (24 years after Dick Lepsy's disappearance)?
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Here's a document that I didn't include in the WZZM TV story or on the WZZM web story.
Lisa Lepsy gave this paperwork to me the day I interviewed her for the WZZM story.
This is a copy of an official document which, Lisa says, is the closest thing she has to a death certificate for Robert Richard Lepsy.
A probate court document from Crawford County, Michigan, where Lepsy disappeared from on October 29, 1969.
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Just to get my two bits in again and with no offense to anyone, in my opinion, if Cooper is ever identified, his name will be a complete unknown to everyone on this forum.
I must also admit that I am highly committed to the theory that Cooper was no longer breathing after about 8:20 PM PST on November 24, 1971.
It seems very important to the people here that this mystery is solved on their own terms. To me it's pretty simple. If Cooper didn't survive the jump then people fitting the eyewitness description that haven't been seen since Thanksgiving Eve 1971 should be looked at. There are very, very few people in this category, so it shouldn't be too hard. If you look at someone in this category and your gut tells you "No", then ask yourself "Why?" If your answer is "I feel like it isn't him" or "It just couldn't be him" without any facts to back it up, then stand in front of a mirror, take a good look, and ask yourself: "What mysteries have I solved? What cold cases have I cracked?".
I understand what you are getting at in your comments. Your first sentence applies to me, you, and everyone else.
My "terms" for solving this mystery, at this point in time, are that we must start at the end (essentially meaning Tina Bar) and work backwards from there. That is why accurately determining the flight path of the airliner is necessary. At this time, there are only two irrefutable "facts" (in the public domain) connected to the flight path. They are the money location at Tina Bar and the location where the placard was found. The rest is commentary.
I see absolutely no way that you can start with a Cooper "candidate" and conclusively prove that he/she was Cooper. Even DNA would be a long shot. At best, you might be able to come up with a "possibility" that a particular person was Cooper. The rest is 20+ books and counting, who knows how many TV "documentaries", endless speculations in the media, etc..
Let me add that not all theories are created equal or should be given equal standing. And what constitutes a "fact", and its meaning, differs among individuals.
Additionally, I understand that there are tens of thousands of missing people.
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Play the New DB Cooper Game!
Test Your Powers of Deduction! Evaluate DB Cooper's knowledge of 727s and skydiving vs Leading Suspects:
1. Who knew more about the 727, its aft stairs, and flight performance. Rank in order of proven or displayed knowledge:
A. Bill Rataczak
B. Dan Cooper
C. Tina Mucklow
D. Dick Lepsy
E. Paul Soderlind
F. Bobby Blevins
2. Who knew more about skydiving in the PNW in November at 8 pm over the Cascadian foothills in the rain:
A. Earl Cossey
B. Dan Cooper
C. Norman Hayden
D. Ralph Hatley
E. Ted Braden
F. 377
G. Dick Lepsy
H. Ted Mayfield
3. Who had the greatest aggregate levels of skills to successfully steal an airplane:
A. Duane Weber
B. Dick Lepsy
C. Dan Cooper
D. Robb Heady
E. Martin McNally
F. Paul Cini
G. Freddie Hahnemann
The answer for number 1, above, would be Dan Cooper. You list three rating factors. Of the people you mentioned, he was the only one who knew that the aft stairs could be lowered in flight on the 727.
The answer for number 2, above, would probably be a tie between Cossey, Hatley, and Mayfield. They were experienced skydivers who lived in the PNW.
The answer for number 3, above, would probably be either "none" or a seven-way "tie". Basically, they just got lucky (if that is the correct word to use).
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Play the New DB Cooper Game!
Test Your Powers of Deduction! Evaluate DB Cooper's knowledge of 727s and skydiving vs Leading Suspects:
1. Who knew more about the 727, its aft stairs, and flight performance. Rank in order of proven or displayed knowledge:
A. Bill Rataczak
B. Dan Cooper
C. Tina Mucklow
D. Dick Lepsy
E. Paul Soderlind
F. Bobby Blevins
2. Who knew more about skydiving in the PNW in November at 8 pm over the Cascadian foothills in the rain:
A. Earl Cossey
B. Dan Cooper
C. Norman Hayden
D. Ralph Hatley
E. Ted Braden
F. 377
G. Dick Lepsy
H. Ted Mayfield
3. Who had the greatest aggregate levels of skills to successfully steal an airplane:
A. Duane Weber
B. Dick Lepsy
C. Dan Cooper
D. Robb Heady
E. Martin McNally
F. Paul Cini
G. Freddie Hahnemann
The answer for number 1, above, would be Dan Cooper. You list three rating factors. Of the people you mentioned, he was the only one who knew that the aft stairs could be lowered in flight on the 727.
The answer for number 2, above, would probably be a tie between Cossey, Hatley, and Mayfield. They were experienced skydivers who lived in the PNW.
The answer for number 3, above, would probably be either "none" or a seven-way "tie". Basically, they just got lucky (if that is the correct word to use).
First, these are not the kinds of questions i would ask. Even if answered, what does it get us?
(1)E ... (2) A, D, H ... (3) a meaningless question because other factors are involved in 'success'.
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If you can't comprehend my statement above, Bruce, then I wonder what else you might be getting wrong about this case. Please reread my statement and think about it a bit.
...I believe Lepsy is the best Cooper suspect out there right now. As for back engineering his story, we may never be able to do that. But proving Lepsy’s knowledge of 727s and skydiving is irrelevant since we don’t know Cooper’s knowledge of these things. We can guess and state our opinions, but we really don’t know.
So, Everything is Just an Opinion?
None of us - ever - develop the ability to discern? Sift, sort and evaluate?
All we have is the Never-Ending Stream of Opinion?
Until we get to facts, of course. But then, what exactly is a fact? R99 says only two exist in Norjak - the T-Bar money and the laminate, which an elk hunter says he found in 1975, so that's not exactly an exact fact. Although Boeing does says that Flight 305 was missing its laminate when it came in for repairs, so it could be a real Norjak fact.
So, this is really a discussion about soft facts - how do we interpret information? How do we weigh data? For instance: When did Lisa Lepsy shout out "That's Daddy?" November 24, 1971, or several years later? And what does it mean? Is there any substantive difference?
And do the opinions of different people mean different things? For instance, is your opinion greater than mine since you have cracked cases by the dozen, whereas all I do is bitch about the FBI? How about you and Brent Ashcroft? Whose opinion carries greater weight on Dick Lepsy?
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The answer for number 3, above, would probably be either "none" or a seven-way "tie". Basically, they just got lucky (if that is the correct word to use).
Robb Heady and Paul Cini were equally qualified to jack a plane? Really? Whatchasmokinboy?
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To me it's pretty simple. If Cooper didn't survive the jump then people fitting the eyewitness description that haven't been seen since Thanksgiving Eve 1971 should be looked at.
So, your perspective is that Dick Lepsy survived whatever ordeal he encountered during lunch on October 29, 1969, escaped to parts unknown until November 24, 1971, and then died somewhere south of Sea-Tac airport in Washington State.
Do I have that correct? That's your essential opinion?
Or, are you merely offering some advice to those people who think DB Cooper died in the jump, suggesting that they consider Dick Lepsy and other gentlemen who were never seen after November 24, 1971?
Which begs the question: Do you think DB Cooper died on November 24, 1971?
It also begs another question - why do you think that other people who think DB Cooper died on his jump need to be encouraged to investigate all the guys who were never seen after 11.24.71?
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This business card now becomes a discussion-point in this case.
Who were the "Men in Black" who ambushed and interrogated Lisa Lepsy about her father, in her Tennessee home, in 1993 (24 years after Dick Lepsy's disappearance)?
Indeed, Storyteller.
So, what do you think the MIB visit means? Who were they? Why were they interrogating Lisa Lepsy? What kinds of follow-up are you doing on this angle? How far will your editors let you run with this part of the story?
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All I can say Bruce is, Stay Tuned!
The Lepsy storyline is no longer sequestered inside Ross' book, or only being covered by small-town fish-wraps and bloggers in northern, lower Michigan. The WZZM story spring-boarded the Lepsy's name all around the world -- literally!
Time will tell what follow-ups present themselves. I can assure you, my editors won't stand in the way if some credible evidence on Lepsy comes to light.
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WWDD?
What Would David Do?
Imagine that you are Dave Cooper, Marla's brother. Go back to 2011 and ponder what would you do when you learned that your sister - ol' twisty butt herself - was running around FBI offices trying to convince the world that Uncle LD was a plane thief?
What Would You Have Done If You Were Dave?
Now, we have that opportunity for ourselves. One of our own, Nimi Wrecks, has declared Dick Lepsy the "best suspect" and he's getting national press coverage. I didn't see it comin', did you? I thought ol' Nimi was more interested in talking about the decay rates of submerged twenties in Columbia mud than he was about Little Lisa shouting, "That's Daddy!" But I was wrong.
From these very pages has arisen a new Cooper Hero. A veritable Case Cracker. WWDD???
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All I can say Bruce is, Stay Tuned!
I'm tuned, Storyteller!
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The Lepsy storyline is no longer sequestered inside Ross' book, or only being covered by small-town fish-wraps and bloggers in northern, lower Michigan. The WZZM story spring-boarded the Lepsy's name all around the world -- literally!
I agree. You, Ross, Lisa, and the gang are now part of history, and that's what I write about. Welcome to Cooper World. If you need a tour guide, let me know: brucesmith at rainierconnect dot com. Probably though, you have already surmised I don't always wait for an invitation to join a party, if ya know what I mean...
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WWDD?
What Would David Do?
Imagine that you are Dave Cooper, Marla's brother. Go back to 2011 and ponder what would you do when you learned that your sister - ol' twisty butt herself - was running around FBI offices trying to convince the world that Uncle LD was a plane thief?
What Would You Have Done If You Were Dave?
Now, we have that opportunity for ourselves. One of our own, Nimi Wrecks, has declared Dick Lepsy the "best suspect" and he's getting national press coverage. I didn't see it comin', did you? I thought ol' Nimi was more interested in talking about the decay rates of submerged twenties in Columbia mud than he was about Little Lisa shouting, "That's Daddy!" But I was wrong.
From these very pages has arisen a new Cooper Hero. A veritable Case Cracker. WWDD???
What would Duane Weber do? (Jo Weber)
What would Christiansen do? (Blevins and Lyle and Gray and Decoded)
Even the living get fucked over by these media parasites and shit peddlers.
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Georger wrote: What would Duane Weber do? (Jo Weber)
What would Christiansen do? (Blevins and Lyle and Gray and Decoded)
Even the living get fucked over by these media parasites and shit peddlers.
These people have a sincere belief in their suspects being solid DBC candidates.
I share you opinion as to these guys not being Cooper, but don't share your opinion regarding their supporters.
Nice it up a bit G, tis the season to be jolly. :)
377
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:) Whoa Bruce, calm down, just relax, everything's going to be okay. :) You're rattling off question after question so fast, that I don't think you've got a grasp on what's happening here. ::) You're like a little puppy jumping up and down on my leg looking for me to give you some attention. ;D As a major Cooper groupie, you have the right to be excited, but let's turn it down a notch and reflect. :-*
:) Brent did a very good job (IMO) of telling the story of a missing man who fits the FBIs description of D.B. Cooper. Some people even think he looks like the FBI composite sketches. ;D That's all. Nothing to get worked up over. Nothing to work yourself into a lather about. :-*
:) I need to run to a couple meetings right now, but when I get back I'll do my best to help everybody through this. We have some very worked up people here, but I promise you, everything is going to be alright. :-*
:-* Love you guys :-*
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Someone get Bruce a paper bag to breath in ;D ;D ;D
What's with the up roar? I believe Ross has done the right thing. where exactly, or how do we rate suspects?
Christiansen....ruled out in 2007, maybe later...
Weber............Ruled out DNA/Fingerprints late 90's?
Gossett..........Ruled out? not sure
Mayfield..........Ruled out years ago...
McCoy............Ruled out 1972.
Peterson........Ruled out? not sure
Wilson............Ruled out? Eng?
" "
" "
Some of these suspects are decades old, so Lespy is new to the suspect ring. just like the others he has flaws, but should he be burned at the stake? If the national attention doesn't bring in any Cooper leads, it might bring in something new for the family? this is not a dead guy people are pointing fingers at. this has much more behind it. just as Vicki's case does.
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Someone get Bruce a paper bag to breath in ;D ;D ;D
What's with the up roar? I believe Ross has done the right thing. where exactly, or how do we rate suspects?
Christiansen....ruled out in 2007, maybe later...
Weber............Ruled out DNA/Fingerprints late 90's?
Gossett..........Ruled out? not sure
Mayfield..........Ruled out years ago...
McCoy............Ruled out 1972.
Peterson........Ruled out? not sure
Wilson............Ruled out? Eng?
" "
" "
Some of these suspects are decades old, so Lespy is new to the suspect ring. just like the others he has flaws, but should he be burned at the stake? If the national attention doesn't bring in any Cooper leads, it might bring in something new for the family? this is not a dead guy people are pointing fingers at. this has much more behind it. just as Vicki's case does.
And not one Latin guy in the bunch, as per Flo's assessment! 3 bundolas? :) :) :) Ohhhh so lo mio! :) :) :) So what are the ethnicities of these guys on the list? Swede. Norwegian. ????? We've got everything and the kitchen sink but no Latin. Someone come up with a Latin guy, plee uz. ;)
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Was Desi Arnaz checked out?
In Sept. 1970 Lucy did her skydiving episode: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0600111/
(https://jacksonupperco.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/screen-shot-2014-02-26-at-9-38-20-pm.png)
(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BVe2eKgdz3o/VCiX1o2igDI/AAAAAAAAINg/OSOHJEckhik/s1600/71334953d0547ab943984b96d9ed0bef.jpg)
377
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Peterson........Ruled out? not sure
SA Mary Jean Fryar, who swabbed Petey in 2002, told me that she was informed eventually by her office that Sheridan had been ruled out on the DNA.
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RE: All of the above. Off to check my meds, BP, etc.
As my New BF, Brent, says, stay tuned!
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Was Desi Arnaz checked out?
Hmmmm, he was 54 in 1971....I can't prove he wasn't Cooper, so he must be.... ::) ::) ::)
If you don't believe it was him. you are not looking for the truth ;D ;D ;D
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Bruce wrote: SA Mary Jean Fryar, who swabbed Petey in 2002, told me that she was informed eventually by her office that Sheridan had been ruled out on the DNA.
What if MJF felt some compassion for Peterson and just substituted a swab taken from some other guy? Every chain of custody has a human weak link.
377
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1. 377, you are as cynical of criminal justice as, um, I am..
2. I asked Galen what he thought of Lepsy and Nimi. Here's his answer:
"Tell him to get in line. Lars Larson, radio host in Portland, did a complete show on Richard McCoy."
McCoy? Now that's a golden oldie.
> https://soundcloud.com/the-lars-larson-podcast/mystery-solved-lars-knows-who-db-cooper-is
BTW: I wonder if Lars Larson knows Lars Skoland, our benefactor with Moriarty and Reichenbach?
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:) It sounds like things have calmed down a bit. That's good news. The Lepsy story has exceeded all expectations and is still getting a lot of attention out there. this is great news for all of us. Another positive aspect of the story is Vicki's father was mentioned and his face was seen by millions. :)
:) I just want to stress that I'm not saying Robert Richard Lepsy is D.B.Cooper. My book is entitled "Still Missing: Rethinking the D.B. Cooper Case and other mysterious unsolved disappearances". I mention a couple times in the book that I'm not saying that Lepsy is Cooper, and that I'm merely pointing out physical similarities between Lepsy and Cooper, and that the skyjacker may not have survived the jump. Another story in the book is about my friends parents, who disappeared in their Cessna in 1977. It's really a sad tale.
I'm sorry if the attention Robert Richard Lepsy is getting is upsetting some folks, that was not my intention. I just wanted to put his story out there and let people compare his image to the Cooper sketches. This will all blow over soon and everything will get back to normal around here. :-*
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:) It sounds like things have calmed down a bit. That's good news. The Lepsy story has exceeded all expectations and is still getting a lot of attention out there. this is great news for all of us. Another positive aspect of the story is Vicki's father was mentioned and his face was seen by millions. :)
:) I just want to stress that I'm not saying Robert Richard Lepsy is D.B.Cooper. My book is entitled "Still Missing: Rethinking the D.B. Cooper Case and other mysterious unsolved disappearances". I mention a couple times in the book that I'm not saying that Lepsy is Cooper, and that I'm merely pointing out physical similarities between Lepsy and Cooper, and that the skyjacker may not have survived the jump. Another story in the book is about my friends parents, who disappeared in their Cessna in 1977. It's really a sad tale.
I'm sorry if the attention Robert Richard Lepsy is getting is upsetting some folks, that was not my intention. I just wanted to put his story out there and let people compare his image to the Cooper sketches. This will all blow over soon and everything will get back to normal around here. :-*
Ross -- anything that brings new interest to the DB Cooper case is a good thing. There is no such thing as bad publicity as they say.
We also have a documentary coming out on the History Channel early next year that some on this forum have been interviewed for, so that's more publicity.
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I'm sorry if the attention Robert Richard Lepsy is getting is upsetting some folks
I don't think you should apologize for anything. as you mentioned another missing persons is involved in this story. two missing persons cases are being seen by a lot of people....apologize?
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Everything that's happened in the past week has been good. Both cases getting national and international exposure. Dick Lepsy's disappearance had literally -- disappeared (completely and totally forgotten about until Ross started digging, and Lisa submitted her DNA sample and added her dad to NamUS in 2011). Today, it's connected to one of the most mysterious disappearances of the 20th century!! Lepsy will now be forever linked to Cooper, and if that ultimately brings leads to the Lepsy case that prove he wasn't Cooper, so be it, because Lisa has lived 46 years with absolutely no answers!! Maybe Ross will get more leads, and some evidence will evolve.
If that happens, Wzzm and I will be there for a follow-up!!
The beauty is nobody can eliminate Lepsy as a Cooper suspect. NOBODY! He disappeared 23 months before the Cooper skyjacking and nobody can account for his whereabouts or what happened to him. Oh, Lepsy matches every element of the Cooper physical description.
There's no evidence to connect him to Cooper, but at the same time, he can't be eliminated as a Cooper suspect - yet.
And, we have Lisa on tape saying, "that's dad!"
... and so it goes.
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Bruce wrote: SA Mary Jean Fryar, who swabbed Petey in 2002, told me that she was informed eventually by her office that Sheridan had been ruled out on the DNA.
What if MJF felt some compassion for Peterson and just substituted a swab taken from some other guy? Every chain of custody has a human weak link.
377
Are you trying to start another conspiracy theory?
Maybe it was some little green men from Mars who broke the chain of custody.
As a member of the ACLU, you should be sufficiently politically correct to include Latinos and the UFO people. After all, they have egos too.
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Everything that's happened in the past week has been good. Both cases getting national and international exposure. Dick Lepsy's disappearance had literally -- disappeared (completely and totally forgotten about until Ross started digging, and Lisa submitted her DNA sample and added her dad to NamUS in 2011). Today, it's connected to one of the most mysterious disappearances of the 20th century!! Lepsy will now be forever linked to Cooper, and if that ultimately brings leads to the Lepsy case that prove he wasn't Cooper, so be it, because Lisa has lived 46 years with absolutely no answers!! Maybe Ross will get more leads, and some evidence will evolve.
If that happens, Wzzm and I will be there for a follow-up!!
The beauty is nobody can eliminate Lepsy as a Cooper suspect. NOBODY! He disappeared 23 months before the Cooper skyjacking and nobody can account for his whereabouts or what happened to him. Oh, Lepsy matches every element of the Cooper physical description.
There's no evidence to connect him to Cooper, but at the same time, he can't be eliminated as a Cooper suspect - yet.
And, we have Lisa on tape saying, "that's dad!"
... and so it goes.
...and it does.
I love how the old files on Lepsy have disappeared. My kind of story.
Ah, the circularity of the commentary, too! I love how the Vortex swirls in the sunlight...."best suspect" becomes "can't prove he's not DB Cooper."
And:
"There's no evidence to connect him to Cooper, but at the same time, he can't be eliminated as a Cooper suspect..."
Sublime.
Storyteller, you may have found a real home here in Cooper Country. Did you pack a bag?
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There's no evidence to connect him to Cooper . . . . .
That can and probably has been said about ever Cooper candidate that I have heard about.
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Lepsy's name is officially out there. Hopefully there's still somebody alive in Grayling, Michigan who knows something. Hopefully the FBI looks at him, if they haven't already. Hopefully the Wzzm story has legs for a while.
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377 You say: "Bruce wrote: SA Mary Jean Fryar, who swabbed Petey in 2002, told me that she was informed eventually by her office that Sheridan had been ruled out on the DNA."
I say: "The DNA that the FBI thinks they have of DB Cooper is in doubt and is partial, right?" So how could they rule out Petey as the DNA that was probably not DB's for making a match anyway?
On Dick Lepsy, he has too much hair, too fat a face and chin, and too young.
Bob Sailshaw
sailshaw00@gmail.com
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Georger You say: "And not one Latin guy in the bunch, as per Flo's assessment! 3 bundolas? :) :) :) Ohhhh so lo mio! :) :) :) So what are the ethnicities of these guys on the list? Swede. Norwegian. ????? We've got everything and the kitchen sink but no Latin. Someone come up with a Latin guy, plee uz. ;)"
I say: Peterson had olive complexion and of Greek background. Is that Latin enough for you?
Bob Sailshaw
sailshaw00@gmail.com
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Georger You say: "And not one Latin guy in the bunch, as per Flo's assessment! 3 bundolas? :) :) :) Ohhhh so lo mio! :) :) :) So what are the ethnicities of these guys on the list? Swede. Norwegian. ????? We've got everything and the kitchen sink but no Latin. Someone come up with a Latin guy, plee uz. ;)"
I say: Peterson had olive complexion and of Greek background. Is that Latin enough for you?
Bob Sailshaw
sailshaw00@gmail.com
Really? That is the first time Im hearing that Sheridikoupolous Petersopopoulos was Greek. I knew he was related to Donald Tumpoulus. Olive skin? Which olives?
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Lepsey, LD Cooper, bring em on. ANY publicity about the DB Cooper case is good. Interest will die if the embers are not fanned occasionally.
377
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Lepsey, LD Cooper, bring em on. ANY publicity about the DB Cooper case is good. Interest will die if the embers are not fanned occasionally.
377
Agree. I certainly do not think that Lepsy is Cooper, or for that matter a good suspect. But, I guess it could be that the reason that this case has gone unsolved for so long is because the guy that did it just never has stood out as a suspect.
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Lepsey, LD Cooper, bring em on. ANY publicity about the DB Cooper case is good. Interest will die if the embers are not fanned occasionally.
377
Agree. I certainly do not think that Lepsy is Cooper, or for that matter a good suspect. But, I guess it could be that the reason that this case has gone unsolved for so long is because the guy that did it just never has stood out as a suspect.
Keep in mind, our perspective on this is not the FBI's perspective. We have no idea what the FBI's suspect pool was or how suspects were handled/examined etc. The FBI may have had categories of suspects it looked at in several venues. For example, one witness was given tons of photos of suspects from the Eugene OR area - we dont know who any of those people were. Short of the FBI sharing its case history (which is never going to happen) there were probably other suspect areas/pools examined. There were probably foreign suspects examined? The sample of people we rely on is exceedingly small and biased.
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Georger wrote: The sample of people we rely on is exceedingly small and biased.
Agree. A Norjack suspect microcosm. And BIAS? OMG yes.
Guilty as charged your honor. Small sample and, too often, small minds including my own. ;)
377
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Georger wrote: The sample of people we rely on is exceedingly small and biased.
Agree. A Norjack suspect microcosm. And BIAS? OMG yes.
Guilty as charged your honor. Small sample and, too often, small minds including my own. ;)
377
Early in the case something convinced managers to look at people in the Eugene area. I am sure there were pools of a similar nature based on _____ (info only the FBI had/has) ? Portland was canvased. Tacoma was canvased. There were individuals examined (Mayfield and others). Did the CIA and Interpol look at a few people?
Nobody ever asked Larry about the pool of suspects looked at ... that was a missed opportunity. Larry was hoping that exposure would bring something new from the public. It did: Marla, Blevins, etal! I'm not sure that was what Larry was looking for. which may be the understatement of the decade! :)
Something tell me Flo's idea Cooper might be Latin, was explored. We know nothing about that. What we do know from several accounts is the FBI's search was "massive". But we have no solid details of that? This all should have been examined at DZ back starting in 2008. Instead DZ spent the bulk of its time exploring .... other matters of no consequence whatever and the thread was finally closed.
::)
I have always been suspicious that the FBI and other investigators came close to finding Cooper, because I believe the search was truly "massive", but he escaped the process, somehow. People escape the process all the time.
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Georger wrote: The sample of people we rely on is exceedingly small and biased.
Agree. A Norjack suspect microcosm. And BIAS? OMG yes.
Guilty as charged your honor. Small sample and, too often, small minds including my own. ;)
377
Early in the case something convinced managers to look at people in the Eugene area. I am sure there were pools of a similar nature based on _____ (info only the FBI had/has) ? Portland was canvased. Tacoma was canvased. There were individuals examined (Mayfield and others). Did the CIA and Interpol look at a few people?
Nobody ever asked Larry about the pool of suspects looked at ... that was a missed opportunity. Larry was hoping that exposure would bring something new from the public. It did: Marla, Blevins, etal! I'm not sure that was what Larry was looking for. which may be the understatement of the decade! :)
Something tell me Flo's idea Cooper might be Latin, was explored. We know nothing about that. What we do know from several accounts is the FBI's search was "massive". But we have no solid details of that? This all should have been examined at DZ back starting in 2008. Instead DZ spent the bulk of its time exploring .... other matters of no consequence whatever and the thread was finally closed.
::)
I have always been suspicious that the FBI and other investigators came close to finding Cooper, because I believe the search was truly "massive", but he escaped the process, somehow. People escape the process all the time.
Let me add some comments about "Cooper information" in government files. The very information that might be able to resolve, or at least move significantly forward, the Cooper case may well be in FBI and/or FAA files at this very moment.
However, even FOIA requests have their limitations, with only specific files being accessible by FOIA requests. Other files are never put into a searchable database or even acknowledged as being in existence.
Consequently, the appropriate personnel can state, with a relatively straight face, that "we can find no record of the information you are seeking".
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Somebody needs to get the WZZM Lepsy story in front of Flo and Tina, have them watch it, and see how they react.
I know that's easier said than done, given that both Flo and Tina have chosen to live reclusive lives in recent decades, but in the world of Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Parascope, etc... one could argue that Flo/Tina can't completely hide forever from the Lepsy news bomb that dropped one week ago tonight.
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Eugene? Whaddayathink, Georger. Is the Vortex particularly strong there, or do you think something more forensically-inclined occurred there?
As we have discussed in the past:
1. Bill Mitchell went to school there.
2. Tina's convent is there.
3. Tina has lived in the area ever since the convent days.
4. LD Cooper died there in 1999.
5. Himms retired to his Woodburn estate, about 50 miles up the road.
6. Barb says she dropped down in the hazelnuts just around the corner from Himms.
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Somebody needs to get the WZZM Lepsy story in front of Flo and Tina, have them watch it, and see how they react.
I know that's easier said than done, given that both Flo and Tina have chosen to live reclusive lives in recent decades, but in the world of Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Parascope, etc... one could argue that Flo/Tina can't completely hide forever from the Lepsy news bomb that dropped one week ago tonight.
Don't get carried away with your own reporting. The "Lepsy news bomb" you mention above is no such thing.
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Somebody needs to get the WZZM Lepsy story in front of Flo and Tina, have them watch it, and see how they react.
I know that's easier said than done, given that both Flo and Tina have chosen to live reclusive lives in recent decades, but in the world of Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Parascope, etc... one could argue that Flo/Tina can't completely hide forever from the Lepsy news bomb that dropped one week ago tonight.
Wanna go visit Tina, Storyteller? I'll take you to the doorstep, but after that you're on your own.
Remember, these gals are my age, and buddy, you have no idea how EASY it is for us Boomers to tell your Twit/Fb generation to buzz off. Click.
Besides, we can't even see the buttons, let alone hit 'em...
You're making me chuckle, Storyteller....I'm feeling protective of Tina for the first time ever, wanting to help shield her from WZZM and Lespy - that's how lousy a suspect Leppo-man really is. This must be how all of Tina's crew has felt over the years, keeping guys like me (and you) at bay.
You might have more success with Billy M, though. Dickie is more like Billy's man - old, pudgy, soft and turkey-necked. Besides, the rumor is that Mitchell is back to talking with media, although he told me EXPRESSLY that he doesn't want to talk with me. If ya see Billy, tell him I say "hello, and no hard feelings." I like Bill. Nice guy. Just touchy for some reason. Especially with me.
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LOL!! Yea, the social media world is not regulated much.
You guys are all right; the Lepsy theory probably doesn't have enough "meat on the bone" to do more than it's done.
The best takeaway is that maybe somebody in Grayling can come forward and offer more info on Lepsy's disappearance but, after 46 years, I suspect not many are still above ground.
Ross is a pro, and it was an interesting story to do. Only time will tell if it will bring anything.
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AHH, Storyteller, we're NOT done with you yet, so don't run away.
What about Lisa and Vicki? I just heard from Vicki that she hasn't heard a thing since the buZZ bomb dropped last week. Any action on the missing dads? You said "stayed tuned." So?????
Whatcha doin' on that front? Where do daughters go to find their missing dads?
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Whatcha doin' on that front? Where do daughters go to find their missing dads?
Bruce, what are you trying to accomplish, sarcasm?
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I'm trying to motivate a fellow journalist to write about Lisa and Vicki. When we last spoke, he said, "stay tuned." Now, it sounds like he's saying "Goodbye." I'm not happy with that.
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it sounds like he's saying "Goodbye
Do you blame him? you pounced on him the whole time he's been here! the guy wrote a story about a missing person who seems to fit parts of the Cooper story. this is not Lyle Christiansen, these people have families who would like closure. they actually cared about him. they are looking for anything that will help.
I look at the whole picture. the story exposed two missing persons. how can this be wrong? is it worth running off the guy who did the story, or cause another to apologize, are you shit'n me?
Who is the best match for Cooper? Lespy, or someone that's been discussed for decades? they all have flaws. some more than others. personally, I don't have a favorite. I try to stay out of that area. I will comment on them, but I don't like to lean one way, or the other. just like the sketch, it's not a photograph. the description is probably the best bet.
Blevins keeps whining about the description being wrong so it will fit Kenny, but doesn't have a problem putting Kenny beside the sketch?
Perhaps, a little more help from us can help couldn't hurt. Ross has put a lot of his personal time into this. we can at least show some appreciation for his work.....
Shutter
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Well it’s very exciting to see the Lepsy story is still on the tip of everyone’s tongue. Some people can’t stop posting about it! That’s fantastic! Today’s media is constantly evolving and sometimes finding a way to give a story traction is like trying to hit a moving target. Brent and Andy really applied their artistry to this story and the results have far exceeded anything I thought possible. Brent is a consummate professional and has a wall full of industry awards to back that up. He’s to humble to ever say anything like that, so I will.
So imagine my dismay when I come here tonight and see Bruce Smith still jumping around like an excited puppy, pissing all over the place because he can’t control himself. Watching him interact with Brent, an extremely popular award winning journalist, is just pathetic. Bruce is completely outclassed and completely out of his league. The sad thing is, Bruce doesn’t realize it.
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it sounds like he's saying "Goodbye
Do you blame him? you pounced on him the whole time he's been here! the guy wrote a story about a missing person who seems to fit parts of the Cooper story. this is not Lyle Christiansen, these people have families who would like closure. they actually cared about him. they are looking for anything that will help.
I look at the whole picture. the story exposed two missing persons. how can this be wrong? is it worth running off the guy who did the story, or cause another to apologize, are you shit'n me?
Who is the best match for Cooper? Lespy, or someone that's been discussed for decades? they all have flaws. some more than others. personally, I don't have a favorite. I try to stay out of that area. I will comment on them, but I don't like to lean one way, or the other. just like the sketch, it's not a photograph. the description is probably the best bet.
Blevins keeps whining about the description being wrong so it will fit Kenny, but doesn't have a problem putting Kenny beside the sketch?
Perhaps, a little more help from us can help couldn't hurt. Ross has put a lot of his personal time into this. we can at least show some appreciation for his work.....
Shutter
Thank you Shutter, I appreciate that. I also appreciate your website. I know you put your hard earned money on the line for this place, not to mention the many hours you put in to make this place special. I truly believe that one of the best things to happen to the Cooper case was the closing of the "Dropzone" and the success of "thedbcooperforum".
Unfortunately, there are a few people here stuck in the past. They stick to their opinions and are as inflexible as Robert and Jo. The Cooper case has passed them by, and they don't even realize it. The rest of us will keep pushing forward with innovative and refreshing ideas.
If you are a guest looking at this website right now, I want to encourage you to sign up and join the fun. You'll run into a few crackpots and cranks along the way, but for the most part, the people here are very helpful and knowledgeable about the Cooper case.
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it sounds like he's saying "Goodbye
Do you blame him?
I do.
I believe Brent and Ross have an obligation to Lisa to help her find her father. One that overrides their effort to prove that her father is DB Cooper. They have taken Lisa's story, and used part of it - the Lepsy-is-Cooper angle - it to their own end. Okay. That's fair storytelling. But the family is still in need, and their present circumstance presents a compelling story of what they are going through to find their missing father. Brent seems to be backing away from that story. Similarly, Vicki says that she has received zippo involvement from Brent and WZZM about her search for her father. Zero follow-up. That is not okay.
And I get lambasted? Further:
I'm not the one saying to the world that Lepsy is the Best Suspect. Ross is. But he can't back it up at all. And he says that I'm outclassed by Brent. Really? Brent put Lisa on national TV shouting "That's Daddy!" and then backs away from her ordeal?
That's classy? Yougottabekiddingme.
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it sounds like he's saying "Goodbye
Do you blame him? you pounced on him the whole time he's been here! the guy wrote a story about a missing person who seems to fit parts of the Cooper story. this is not Lyle Christiansen, these people have families who would like closure. they actually cared about him. they are looking for anything that will help.
I look at the whole picture. the story exposed two missing persons. how can this be wrong? is it worth running off the guy who did the story, or cause another to apologize, are you shit'n me?
Who is the best match for Cooper? Lespy, or someone that's been discussed for decades? they all have flaws. some more than others. personally, I don't have a favorite. I try to stay out of that area. I will comment on them, but I don't like to lean one way, or the other. just like the sketch, it's not a photograph. the description is probably the best bet.
Blevins keeps whining about the description being wrong so it will fit Kenny, but doesn't have a problem putting Kenny beside the sketch?
Perhaps, a little more help from us can help couldn't hurt. Ross has put a lot of his personal time into this. we can at least show some appreciation for his work.....
Shutter
Thank you Shutter, I appreciate that. I also appreciate your website. I know you put your hard earned money on the line for this place, not to mention the many hours you put in to make this place special. I truly believe that one of the best things to happen to the Cooper case was the closing of the "Dropzone" and the success of "thedbcooperforum".
Unfortunately, there are a few people here stuck in the past. They stick to their opinions and are as inflexible as Robert and Jo. The Cooper case has passed them by, and they don't even realize it. The rest of us will keep pushing forward with innovative and refreshing ideas.
If you are a guest looking at this website right now, I want to encourage you to sign up and join the fun. You'll run into a few crackpots and cranks along the way, but for the most part, the people here are very helpful and knowledgeable about the Cooper case.
+1 :) Hope you arent leaving - your thoughtfulness and insight are valuable here.
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it sounds like he's saying "Goodbye
Do you blame him?
I do.
I believe Brent and Ross have an obligation to Lisa to help her find her father. One that overrides their effort to prove that her father is DB Cooper. They have taken Lisa's story, and used part of it - the Lepsy-is-Cooper angle - it to their own end. Okay. That's fair storytelling. But the family is still in need, and their present circumstance presents a compelling story of what they are going through to find their missing father. Brent seems to be backing away from that story. Similarly, Vicki says that she has received zippo involvement from Brent and WZZM about her search for her father. Zero follow-up. That is not okay.
And I get lambasted? Further:
I'm not the one saying to the world that Lepsy is the Best Suspect. Ross is. But he can't back it up at all. And he says that I'm outclassed by Brent. Really? Brent put Lisa on national TV shouting "That's Daddy!" and then backs away from her ordeal?
That's classy? Yougottabekiddingme.
Bruce, can we be done with this please? You're embarrassing yourself. I'm sorry you are so hurt by all this and feel the need to lash out at us. Brent has put images of Lisa's father and Vicki's father in front of millions of people. His story literally has millions of clicks. That's a very positive thing. Instead of looking at us and asking what we are doing, look in the mirror and ask "what Bruce Smith is doing?" Nobody is stopping you from solving this case, or trying to help people in need, or doing whatever it is you want to do.
:-* We are here for you Bruce! :-* May you have a blessed holiday season! :-*
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Another point of view on the Lepsy/Cooper story:
www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/dick_lepsy_db_cooper. (http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2015/12/dick_lepsy_db_cooper.html#incart_river_home)
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He's also hopeful one of the stewardesses who were the primary witnesses to the hijacking will see the Lepsy photos and make a comment of some sort.
See if Storyteller can pull some strings to local news stations in the area's of the stews?
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Another point of view on the Lepsy/Cooper story:
www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/dick_lepsy_db_cooper. (http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2015/12/dick_lepsy_db_cooper.html#incart_river_home)
The basis for the theory? Dick Lepsy bears a strong physical resemblance in photos to the FBI composite sketch of D.B. Cooper and the hijacker was described as wearing clothing and shoes similar to what Lepsy favored. That and the fact that neither man has surfaced in more than 40 years.
So far, the media attention in Michigan, Oregon and elsewhere hasn't turned up any new leads on either the Lepsy or Cooper end of things. "Nothing has shaken loose yet," he said. "A lot of people are talking but no new information has surfaced."
From this new information about the Cooper case we must assert:
1. Cooper looked like Lepsy. All FBI sketches and witness reports are wrong.
2. Cooper dressed like Lepsy. All other thoughts/descriptions are out.
3. Cooper never surfaced anywhere in forty years ... all other claims are wrong.
4. Nothing has shaken loose yet.
Bruce and Blevins, change your damned books to record the "true facts" of the case as per the above media account!
:)
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I'm editing as fast as I can! Just ask Andrade - he's got me re-writing half da book...
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:-* Happy Holidays everbody! :-*
Now that everyone has calmed down a bit, I think it's a good time to reflect. What surprised me most about all this media attention, is the response from the U.K. There seems to be huge interest in the Cooper Case over there:
Telegraph.U.K. Worldnews Has-the-mystery-of-DB-Cooper-been-solved? (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/12017816/Has-the-mystery-of-DB-Cooper-been-solved.html)
Dailymail.co.UK Michigan-father-four-legendary-plane-hijacker-solving-greatest-Thanksgiving-mystery-history (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3333987/Is-man-DB-Cooper-Author-believes-missing-Michigan-father-four-legendary-plane-hijacker-solving-greatest-Thanksgiving-mystery-history.html)
Mirror.co.UK World-News/Mystery-DB-Cooper-Hijacker (http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/mystery-db-cooper-hijacker-who-6906096)
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If I'm not mistaken, Marla's story originated from the U.K.?
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Kind of.
What originated in the UK was the announcement that the FBI had their "most promising" suspect. This was written by the journalist Alex Hannaford in the Sunday London Telegraph. This info hit the streets on Saturday, July 30, 2011 - in London, but Hannaford didn't name any names. Intrepid (tipped-off news reporters???) in Seattle, most notably the guy from the PI, Casey McEarthney-something, got on the story and interviewed Ayn Dietrich immediately, and the name of LD Cooper hit the newsstands on Sunday, I believe, and Marla soon after. By Tuesday, Marla was famous worldwide. Remember, Marla had a "personal" relationship with the assistant news director for ABC-TV, according to TB, and it appears that an interview with Marla was ready to go.
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I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas. I've done a number of radio interviews over the past month and here is a link to a podcast of one of them. It's Darkness Radio out of Minneapolis it happened on December 15th, 2015:
Twincitiesnewstalk.com D.B. Cooper Dec 15, 2015 (http://www.twincitiesnewstalk.com/media/play/26586924/)
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I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas. I've done a number of radio interviews over the past month and here is a link to a podcast of one of them. It's Darkness Radio out of Minneapolis it happened on December 15th, 2015:
Twincitiesnewstalk.com D.B. Cooper Dec 15, 2015 (http://www.twincitiesnewstalk.com/media/play/26586924/)
Here is the second hour of the podcast.
http://www.twincitiesnewstalk.com/media/play/26586934/
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Just downloaded both, will listen as a start my drive to Iowa this evening. Now I just need to find something to fill the other 13 hours of that drive!!
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Just downloaded both, will listen as a start my drive to Iowa this evening. Now I just need to find something to fill the other 13 hours of that drive!!
If you download it, they will come lol...
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I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas. I've done a number of radio interviews over the past month and here is a link to a podcast of one of them. It's Darkness Radio out of Minneapolis it happened on December 15th, 2015:
Twincitiesnewstalk.com D.B. Cooper Dec 15, 2015 (http://www.twincitiesnewstalk.com/media/play/26586924/)
Here is the second hour of the podcast.
http://www.twincitiesnewstalk.com/media/play/26586934/
I listened to that. It's a pretty good synopsis. The host seems neutral. It's worth a listen. Thanks Vicki.
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Nice interview, but I think you were wrong on one point Ross: Cooper was never offered a square parachute, as I understand it. Any of the Pioneer/NB6/NB8 chutes would have been conical.
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Nice interview, but I think you were wrong on one point Ross: Cooper was never offered a square parachute, as I understand it. Any of the Pioneer/NB6/NB8 chutes would have been conical.
You are right. I don't know exactly when the square parachutes were introduced, but I think it was sometime after 1971 (377 probably has the answer). The NB6 was definitely a conical (I owned one up to about a month or two before the hijacking). I don't know from personal experience if the Pioneer and NB8 were conical or just circular.
The probable reason that Cooper did not want a military parachute from McChord AFB is that the USAF/NAVY, etc., started putting radio beacons in their parachutes during the Vietnam War. Rescue aircraft could home in on those beacons during the search for downed crewmen. Later hijackers handled this same issue in a number of different ways.
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I enjoyed this a lot. I like the way that Ross promotes Lepsey without force feeding him to everyone.
I don't have a favorite suspect and my guess has always been that the true identity of Cooper is someone we have yet to hear of. But, if Melvin Wilson had brown eyes....
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I enjoyed this a lot. I like the way that Ross promotes Lepsey without force feeding him to everyone.
I don't have a favorite suspect and my guess has always been that the true identity of Cooper is someone we have yet to hear of. But, if Melvin Wilson had brown eyes....
For everyone's information, the matter of eye color should be viewed with an open mind.
In my younger days, I had brown eyes. Now they are hazel/green.
So if Tina met Cooper walking down the street, she should keep in mind that his eyes might not be the same color as what she saw in 1971.
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I'm wondering how crooked his front teeth were? the missing person file claims he had two crooked teeth. Tina sat right next to Cooper for a longtime, but never mentioned anything out of the ordinary with his teeth.
NMI, is there any pics showing this, all of them have his mouth closed?
One in the lower row, the other in upper row.
One in front of others, the other behind the others.
I thought we did the right thing and provided dossier to the authorities.
We have been hung out to dry with nowhere to turn in hostile circumstance.
The Cooper Curse is real.
Any suggestions?
● ● ● ▬ ▬ ▬ ● ● ●
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Morse Code! I haven't seen any since Boy Scout days!
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S.O.S.
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Indeed.
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I'm wondering how crooked his front teeth were? the missing person file claims he had two crooked teeth. Tina sat right next to Cooper for a longtime, but never mentioned anything out of the ordinary with his teeth.
NMI, is there any pics showing this, all of them have his mouth closed?
One in the lower row, the other in upper row.
One in front of others, the other behind the others.
I thought we did the right thing and provided dossier to the authorities.
We have been hung out to dry with nowhere to turn in hostile circumstance.
The Cooper Curse is real.
Any suggestions?
● ● ● ▬ ▬ ▬ ● ● ●
I only have two photos of Robert Richard Lepsy which show his teeth. A family member told me one of his front teeth was slightly forward of the other. I have not heard of any reports of something like this being mentioned by any of the Cooper eyewitnesses. Attached is an image of Lepsy's teeth.
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Another image of Robert Richard Lepsy showing his teeth. It appears his left central incisor is slightly forward of the right central incisor. Again, this feature was never described publicly by any of the eyewitnesses (Stewardesses, etc.).
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Past 10,000 views!!!!
Congrats 8)
Over 300,000 views in 2 years. not shabby 8)
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Past 10,000 views!!!!
Congrats 8)
Over 300,000 views in 2 years. not shabby 8)
Thank you! I think those numbers are a testament to what you've built here. It's not perfect by any means, but the fact that so many diverse personalities can share opposing opinions and ideas and still remain somewhat civilized, is pretty amazing.
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Thanks, yes, I actually built this site. it took me 3 different computers running at the same time, but I got her up and running in one nite 8)
I think we proved to a few of the DZ members (Amazon) for one. that we can be civilized. it's a team effort indeed..
Shutter
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Here is a recent podcast concerning Robert Richard Lepsy: Thin Air Podcast - Robert Richard Lepsy (http://thinairpodcast.com/category/season-1/)
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Here is a recent podcast concerning Robert Richard Lepsy: Thin Air Podcast - Robert Richard Lepsy (http://thinairpodcast.com/category/season-1/)
interesting...
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Where's the link?
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Where's the link?
Thin Air Podcast - Robert Richard Lepsy (http://thinairpodcast.com/category/season-1/)
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Just thought I'd put up a link to a story which ran a couple months ago. Just a friendly reminder, there is zero evidence linking missing person Robert Richard Lepsy to the D.B. Cooper case. Some people think he resembles the FBI composite sketch of Cooper, some people think he does not. Lepsy had no known skydiving training at the time of his disappearance (1969).
Robert Richard Lepsy (http://upnorthlive.com/news/local/special-report-vanished)
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I am making a first post and have read for years about the skyjacker that vanished with the money. The leads pointing to Mr Lepsy as a candidate are compelling. If he left his home under duress and soon to be off'd by would be bad guys it seems like more than 2,000 would have gone missing from a grocery store safe. My question is other than foul play what other reasons would be given to disqualify Richard Lepsy from candidacy as the the "one". I gather he was an easy rider dreamer and maybe not to realistic about the laws of physics and survival.
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Hello JonTaylor, and welcome to the forum.
I will be moving this post over to The Lepsy thread. since one has already been made. I like to keep the amount of threads down to a reasonable amount. I will keep this post in place until the end of the day so you don't think it was removed for unknown reasons. you didn't do anything wrong, it's just part of the process. people can continue to post here, they will all be moved at the same time anyway.. C:-)
Shutter
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Welcome to the forum.
I think you are taking the wrong approach. Instead of asking, "what other reasons would be given to disqualify Richard Lepsy from candidacy as the the "one"", the correct approach would be to ask instead, "what qualifies him as being a candidate". Other than being a missing person, I don't see much else.
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Welcome to the forum.
the correct approach would be to ask instead, "what qualifies him as being a candidate". Other than being a missing person, I don't see much else.
He does fit the physical description (height, build, eye color, hair color, from the mid-west, etc.). 90% of the suspects presented don't even make it past that. He resembles the composite sketch based on the opinion of someone who sat next to Cooper for hours, taking note of his physical appearance.
People have been taking the ;)"correct" ;) approach for 45 years now. How's that workin out for ya? O0 O0 O0
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Hello and thank you to the administration of the forum for accepting me as a member. I very much enjoy your forum especially the links to so many informative sites. I have a question not so much about Mr. Lepsy being a candidate but more of may I propose the story of a new, never before mentioned candidate. And if so, which category would I use to propose such candidate. This such proposal would require me to relate a somewhat lengthy story of what I believe is the true story of the hijacking and events leading up to it as told to me by a close friend before his passing. This story was related to me more than ten years ago and has since been somewhat corroborated by new findings in the case (at least new to me) as per the titanium particles and profiles presented by Citizen Sleuths and others. The candidate I was told of absolutely fits this profile as well as being a certified pilot and known parachutist. If I am in the wrong forum for such a story would you possibly be able to direct me to a more appropriate forum or such. If you would prefer to communicate in some other means please let me know. I know this must sound pretty implausible but I really believe it would be worth your time. The gentleman that related this story to me never ever lied to me. Thank you again.
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Hello and thank you to the administration of the forum for accepting me as a member. I very much enjoy your forum especially the links to so many informative sites. I have a question not so much about Mr. Lepsy being a candidate but more of may I propose the story of a new, never before mentioned candidate. And if so, which category would I use to propose such candidate. This such proposal would require me to relate a somewhat lengthy story of what I believe is the true story of the hijacking and events leading up to it as told to me by a close friend before his passing. This story was related to me more than ten years ago and has since been somewhat corroborated by new findings in the case (at least new to me) as per the titanium particles and profiles presented by Citizen Sleuths and others. The candidate I was told of absolutely fits this profile as well as being a certified pilot and known parachutist. If I am in the wrong forum for such a story would you possibly be able to direct me to a more appropriate forum or such. If you would prefer to communicate in some other means please let me know. I know this must sound pretty implausible but I really believe it would be worth your time. The gentleman that related this story to me never ever lied to me. Thank you again.
Hello, and welcome to the forum. I'm glad you find our forum informative. if you have a new suspect in mind the correct thread would be under "Suspects And Confessions"
Don't let some of these guys intimidate you C:-) most bark, but have dull teeth O0 O0 O0
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Welcome to the forum.
I think you are taking the wrong approach. Instead of asking, "what other reasons would be given to disqualify Richard Lepsy from candidacy as the the "one"", the correct approach would be to ask instead, "what qualifies him as being a candidate". Other than being a missing person, I don't see much else.
I think it was Ole Miss Cub who awhile ago published a list of known missing persons from that time who fit the description. There aren't many (around a dozen or so). But, like Parrotheadvol says being missing alone isn't enough to make anyone a suspect. However, it might make them worth a "look-see" if the FBI were still seeking suspects.
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Welcome to the forum.
the correct approach would be to ask instead, "what qualifies him as being a candidate". Other than being a missing person, I don't see much else.
He does fit the physical description (height, build, eye color, hair color, from the mid-west, etc.). 90% of the suspects presented don't even make it past that. He resembles the composite sketch based on the opinion of someone who sat next to Cooper for hours, taking note of his physical appearance.
People have been taking the ;)"correct" ;) approach for 45 years now. How's that workin out for ya? O0 O0 O0
Point taken. I was talking more about the fact that there is nothing known about Lepsy that suggests that he would have had the knowledge in certain areas that he would require. Granted, perhaps he could have found this knowledge in the two years between his disappearance and the hijacking. The Lepsy mystery is intriguing, for sure. I'd like to know what became of him and I'd love to see his family get that closure as well. But I personally do not consider him to be a strong Cooper suspect. But, I guess all of the strong suspects have been ruled out.....
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Hello and thank you to the administration of the forum for accepting me as a member. I very much enjoy your forum especially the links to so many informative sites. I have a question not so much about Mr. Lepsy being a candidate but more of may I propose the story of a new, never before mentioned candidate. And if so, which category would I use to propose such candidate. This such proposal would require me to relate a somewhat lengthy story of what I believe is the true story of the hijacking and events leading up to it as told to me by a close friend before his passing. This story was related to me more than ten years ago and has since been somewhat corroborated by new findings in the case (at least new to me) as per the titanium particles and profiles presented by Citizen Sleuths and others. The candidate I was told of absolutely fits this profile as well as being a certified pilot and known parachutist. If I am in the wrong forum for such a story would you possibly be able to direct me to a more appropriate forum or such. If you would prefer to communicate in some other means please let me know. I know this must sound pretty implausible but I really believe it would be worth your time. The gentleman that related this story to me never ever lied to me. Thank you again.
Welcome. I would love to hear your story.
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Dude, don't leave us hanging!
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Welcome to the forum.
the correct approach would be to ask instead, "what qualifies him as being a candidate". Other than being a missing person, I don't see much else.
He does fit the physical description (height, build, eye color, hair color, from the mid-west, etc.). 90% of the suspects presented don't even make it past that. He resembles the composite sketch based on the opinion of someone who sat next to Cooper for hours, taking note of his physical appearance.
People have been taking the ;)"correct" ;) approach for 45 years now. How's that workin out for ya? O0 O0 O0
Point taken. I was talking more about the fact that there is nothing known about Lepsy that suggests that he would have had the knowledge in certain areas that he would require. Granted, perhaps he could have found this knowledge in the two years between his disappearance and the hijacking. The Lepsy mystery is intriguing, for sure. I'd like to know what became of him and I'd love to see his family get that closure as well. But I personally do not consider him to be a strong Cooper suspect. But, I guess all of the strong suspects have been ruled out.....
I totally get what you are saying. I guess I can't figure out who a "strong suspect" is. 90% of the suspects presented don't even make it past Agent Carr's description test. For 45 years this has been one of the most popular and researched unsolved mysteries in the country. If there were any connection to anyone, we would have heard about it by now. Maybe this mystery is unsolved because somebody with zero known connections (Ninja CIA parachute training, Aerospace engineer, etc.) commented the skyjacking. But this someone has to fit the basic physical description given by the stewardesses.
That being said, nobody has answered the question "what reason would be given to disqualify Richard Lepsy from candidacy as the the 'one'?"
And please let us know who the "strong suspects" are.
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Welcome to the forum.
the correct approach would be to ask instead, "what qualifies him as being a candidate". Other than being a missing person, I don't see much else.
He does fit the physical description (height, build, eye color, hair color, from the mid-west, etc.). 90% of the suspects presented don't even make it past that. He resembles the composite sketch based on the opinion of someone who sat next to Cooper for hours, taking note of his physical appearance.
People have been taking the ;)"correct" ;) approach for 45 years now. How's that workin out for ya? O0 O0 O0
Point taken. I was talking more about the fact that there is nothing known about Lepsy that suggests that he would have had the knowledge in certain areas that he would require. Granted, perhaps he could have found this knowledge in the two years between his disappearance and the hijacking. The Lepsy mystery is intriguing, for sure. I'd like to know what became of him and I'd love to see his family get that closure as well. But I personally do not consider him to be a strong Cooper suspect. But, I guess all of the strong suspects have been ruled out.....
I totally get what you are saying. I guess I can't figure out who a "strong suspect" is. 90% of the suspects presented don't even make it past Agent Carr's description test. For 45 years this has been one of the most popular and researched unsolved mysteries in the country. If there were any connection to anyone, we would have heard about it by now. Maybe this mystery is unsolved because somebody with zero known connections (Ninja CIA parachute training, Aerospace engineer, etc.) commented the skyjacking. But this someone has to fit the basic physical description given by the stewardesses.
That being said, nobody has answered the question "what reason would be given to disqualify Richard Lepsy from candidacy as the the 'one'?"
And please let us know who the "strong suspects" are.
That raises a real open ended question.
Who can we disqualify?
Kenny Christiansen, Duane Weber, Barb Dayton, LD Cooper, Mel Wilson, Sheridan Peterson, etc. -- just like Dick Lepsy, none of them can be disqualified either, because nobody can prove they were somewhere else.
That's why you can't look from that side. If you go by process of elimination, you can't eliminate enough suspects.
You can't be a strong suspect unless something connects him (or her?) to the crime.
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The bottom line appears to be the FBI holds back enough information to root out a lot of the known suspects. Eng stated, no matter how good the report looks, it's nothing without real evidence. that's not his direct quote, but close enough. Jo has done so much damage. it's one of the reason they are throwing in the towel. The FBI has not expanded to the size it is now by listening to people state that there friends all said he was Cooper, or was missing that weekend...."no credible leads" is very telling IMHO.
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Welcome to the forum.
the correct approach would be to ask instead, "what qualifies him as being a candidate". Other than being a missing person, I don't see much else.
He does fit the physical description (height, build, eye color, hair color, from the mid-west, etc.). 90% of the suspects presented don't even make it past that. He resembles the composite sketch based on the opinion of someone who sat next to Cooper for hours, taking note of his physical appearance.
People have been taking the ;)"correct" ;) approach for 45 years now. How's that workin out for ya? O0 O0 O0
Point taken. I was talking more about the fact that there is nothing known about Lepsy that suggests that he would have had the knowledge in certain areas that he would require. Granted, perhaps he could have found this knowledge in the two years between his disappearance and the hijacking. The Lepsy mystery is intriguing, for sure. I'd like to know what became of him and I'd love to see his family get that closure as well. But I personally do not consider him to be a strong Cooper suspect. But, I guess all of the strong suspects have been ruled out.....
I totally get what you are saying. I guess I can't figure out who a "strong suspect" is. 90% of the suspects presented don't even make it past Agent Carr's description test. For 45 years this has been one of the most popular and researched unsolved mysteries in the country. If there were any connection to anyone, we would have heard about it by now. Maybe this mystery is unsolved because somebody with zero known connections (Ninja CIA parachute training, Aerospace engineer, etc.) commented the skyjacking. But this someone has to fit the basic physical description given by the stewardesses.
That being said, nobody has answered the question "what reason would be given to disqualify Richard Lepsy from candidacy as the the 'one'?"
And please let us know who the "strong suspects" are.
That raises a real open ended question.
Who can we disqualify?
Kenny Christiansen, Duane Weber, Barb Dayton, LD Cooper, Mel Wilson, Sheridan Peterson, etc. -- just like Dick Lepsy, none of them can be disqualified either, because nobody can prove they were somewhere else.
That's why you can't look from that side. If you go by process of elimination, you can't eliminate enough suspects.
You can't be a strong suspect unless something connects him (or her?) to the crime.
That's dodging the question, not answering it. O0
I'm having a hard time agreeing with your point of view. Of the suspects you mention, only D-Web and Lepsy fit the basic physical description provided by the stewardesses. The rest can be eliminated simply by comparing them to eyewitness descriptions. I'm not in the "wig, platform loafers, colored contacts" crowd so I think its a decent description. :))
The FBI has looked at all the suspects you mentioned above (except Lepsy. Maybe? :-\) and said "No". They have information we do not have. That's a pretty good reason to eliminate a suspect. This idea that if you look at Lepsy it opens the door to everybody is ludicrous. It opens the door to looking at suspects who fit Cooper's basic description. There are very few people who match. And even fewer that are missing persons. Bald headed blue eye guys need not apply. C:-)
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Wow, we almost explained the same thing O0 O0 O0
The FBI will also look at all files, or reports give to them, and determine whether any credible value is contained in the documents.
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Welcome to the forum.
the correct approach would be to ask instead, "what qualifies him as being a candidate". Other than being a missing person, I don't see much else.
He does fit the physical description (height, build, eye color, hair color, from the mid-west, etc.). 90% of the suspects presented don't even make it past that. He resembles the composite sketch based on the opinion of someone who sat next to Cooper for hours, taking note of his physical appearance.
People have been taking the ;)"correct" ;) approach for 45 years now. How's that workin out for ya? O0 O0 O0
Point taken. I was talking more about the fact that there is nothing known about Lepsy that suggests that he would have had the knowledge in certain areas that he would require. Granted, perhaps he could have found this knowledge in the two years between his disappearance and the hijacking. The Lepsy mystery is intriguing, for sure. I'd like to know what became of him and I'd love to see his family get that closure as well. But I personally do not consider him to be a strong Cooper suspect. But, I guess all of the strong suspects have been ruled out.....
I totally get what you are saying. I guess I can't figure out who a "strong suspect" is. 90% of the suspects presented don't even make it past Agent Carr's description test. For 45 years this has been one of the most popular and researched unsolved mysteries in the country. If there were any connection to anyone, we would have heard about it by now. Maybe this mystery is unsolved because somebody with zero known connections (Ninja CIA parachute training, Aerospace engineer, etc.) commented the skyjacking. But this someone has to fit the basic physical description given by the stewardesses.
That being said, nobody has answered the question "what reason would be given to disqualify Richard Lepsy from candidacy as the the 'one'?"
And please let us know who the "strong suspects" are.
That raises a real open ended question.
Who can we disqualify?
Kenny Christiansen, Duane Weber, Barb Dayton, LD Cooper, Mel Wilson, Sheridan Peterson, etc. -- just like Dick Lepsy, none of them can be disqualified either, because nobody can prove they were somewhere else.
That's why you can't look from that side. If you go by process of elimination, you can't eliminate enough suspects.
You can't be a strong suspect unless something connects him (or her?) to the crime.
That's dodging the question, not answering it. O0
I'm having a hard time agreeing with your point of view. Of the suspects you mention, only D-Web and Lepsy fit the basic physical description provided by the stewardesses. The rest can be eliminated simply by comparing them to eyewitness descriptions. I'm not in the "wig, platform loafers, colored contacts" crowd so I think its a decent description. :))
The FBI has looked at all the suspects you mentioned above (except Lepsy. Maybe? :-\) and said "No". They have information we do not have. That's a pretty good reason to eliminate a suspect. This idea that if you look at Lepsy it opens the door to everybody is ludicrous. It opens the door to looking at suspects who fit Cooper's basic description. There are very few people who match. And even fewer that are missing persons. Bald headed blue eye guys need not apply. C:-)
I have a hard time with Lepsy matching the description. I know the last pictures are a couple of years old, but he just looks way too young. He has a baby face, and my first thought was he looked even younger than his age, not older. I don't think his complexion matches either.
It is possible it could be Lepsy. But, really all you have is he's a missing person and he was missing for more than two years. My point was you are promoting his a suspect because he can't be disqualified. I think the other suspects are unlikely, but they aren't officially disqualified either.
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Welcome to the forum.
the correct approach would be to ask instead, "what qualifies him as being a candidate". Other than being a missing person, I don't see much else.
He does fit the physical description (height, build, eye color, hair color, from the mid-west, etc.). 90% of the suspects presented don't even make it past that. He resembles the composite sketch based on the opinion of someone who sat next to Cooper for hours, taking note of his physical appearance.
People have been taking the ;)"correct" ;) approach for 45 years now. How's that workin out for ya? O0 O0 O0
Point taken. I was talking more about the fact that there is nothing known about Lepsy that suggests that he would have had the knowledge in certain areas that he would require. Granted, perhaps he could have found this knowledge in the two years between his disappearance and the hijacking. The Lepsy mystery is intriguing, for sure. I'd like to know what became of him and I'd love to see his family get that closure as well. But I personally do not consider him to be a strong Cooper suspect. But, I guess all of the strong suspects have been ruled out.....
I totally get what you are saying. I guess I can't figure out who a "strong suspect" is. 90% of the suspects presented don't even make it past Agent Carr's description test. For 45 years this has been one of the most popular and researched unsolved mysteries in the country. If there were any connection to anyone, we would have heard about it by now. Maybe this mystery is unsolved because somebody with zero known connections (Ninja CIA parachute training, Aerospace engineer, etc.) commented the skyjacking. But this someone has to fit the basic physical description given by the stewardesses.
That being said, nobody has answered the question "what reason would be given to disqualify Richard Lepsy from candidacy as the the 'one'?"
And please let us know who the "strong suspects" are.
That raises a real open ended question.
Who can we disqualify?
Kenny Christiansen, Duane Weber, Barb Dayton, LD Cooper, Mel Wilson, Sheridan Peterson, etc. -- just like Dick Lepsy, none of them can be disqualified either, because nobody can prove they were somewhere else.
That's why you can't look from that side. If you go by process of elimination, you can't eliminate enough suspects.
You can't be a strong suspect unless something connects him (or her?) to the crime.
That's dodging the question, not answering it. O0
I'm having a hard time agreeing with your point of view. Of the suspects you mention, only D-Web and Lepsy fit the basic physical description provided by the stewardesses. The rest can be eliminated simply by comparing them to eyewitness descriptions. I'm not in the "wig, platform loafers, colored contacts" crowd so I think its a decent description. :))
The FBI has looked at all the suspects you mentioned above (except Lepsy. Maybe? :-\) and said "No". They have information we do not have. That's a pretty good reason to eliminate a suspect. This idea that if you look at Lepsy it opens the door to everybody is ludicrous. It opens the door to looking at suspects who fit Cooper's basic description. There are very few people who match. And even fewer that are missing persons. Bald headed blue eye guys need not apply. C:-)
My point was you are promoting his a suspect because he can't be disqualified.
That's a ridiculous statement, Mark. I've been clear from the beginning that I brought forth information Robert Richard Lepsy because he's a missing person who hasn't been seen since the skyjacking and fits the physical description and resembles the sketch. It's sleuthing 101 that if Cooper did not survive the jump, then that's the type of person we should look for. I thought it be a welcomed break from chasing blue eyed suspects that the FBI isn't interested in. I guess I was wrong. C:-)
People bring up the point that there's nothing connecting him to the crime, but there's nothing connecting anybody to the crime. No twenties, no parachute, nothing. If there is a suspect with any type of real evidence, then please share. We would love to know. ::)
By the way, you still didn't answer jontaylor's question. O0 O0 O0 Nice try though.
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Welcome to the forum.
the correct approach would be to ask instead, "what qualifies him as being a candidate". Other than being a missing person, I don't see much else.
He does fit the physical description (height, build, eye color, hair color, from the mid-west, etc.). 90% of the suspects presented don't even make it past that. He resembles the composite sketch based on the opinion of someone who sat next to Cooper for hours, taking note of his physical appearance.
People have been taking the ;)"correct" ;) approach for 45 years now. How's that workin out for ya? O0 O0 O0
Point taken. I was talking more about the fact that there is nothing known about Lepsy that suggests that he would have had the knowledge in certain areas that he would require. Granted, perhaps he could have found this knowledge in the two years between his disappearance and the hijacking. The Lepsy mystery is intriguing, for sure. I'd like to know what became of him and I'd love to see his family get that closure as well. But I personally do not consider him to be a strong Cooper suspect. But, I guess all of the strong suspects have been ruled out.....
I totally get what you are saying. I guess I can't figure out who a "strong suspect" is. 90% of the suspects presented don't even make it past Agent Carr's description test. For 45 years this has been one of the most popular and researched unsolved mysteries in the country. If there were any connection to anyone, we would have heard about it by now. Maybe this mystery is unsolved because somebody with zero known connections (Ninja CIA parachute training, Aerospace engineer, etc.) commented the skyjacking. But this someone has to fit the basic physical description given by the stewardesses.
That being said, nobody has answered the question "what reason would be given to disqualify Richard Lepsy from candidacy as the the 'one'?"
And please let us know who the "strong suspects" are.
That raises a real open ended question.
Who can we disqualify?
Kenny Christiansen, Duane Weber, Barb Dayton, LD Cooper, Mel Wilson, Sheridan Peterson, etc. -- just like Dick Lepsy, none of them can be disqualified either, because nobody can prove they were somewhere else.
That's why you can't look from that side. If you go by process of elimination, you can't eliminate enough suspects.
You can't be a strong suspect unless something connects him (or her?) to the crime.
That's dodging the question, not answering it. O0
I'm having a hard time agreeing with your point of view. Of the suspects you mention, only D-Web and Lepsy fit the basic physical description provided by the stewardesses. The rest can be eliminated simply by comparing them to eyewitness descriptions. I'm not in the "wig, platform loafers, colored contacts" crowd so I think its a decent description. :))
The FBI has looked at all the suspects you mentioned above (except Lepsy. Maybe? :-\) and said "No". They have information we do not have. That's a pretty good reason to eliminate a suspect. This idea that if you look at Lepsy it opens the door to everybody is ludicrous. It opens the door to looking at suspects who fit Cooper's basic description. There are very few people who match. And even fewer that are missing persons. Bald headed blue eye guys need not apply. C:-)
My point was you are promoting his a suspect because he can't be disqualified.
That's a ridiculous statement, Mark. I've been clear from the beginning that I brought forth information Robert Richard Lepsy because he's a missing person who hasn't been seen since the skyjacking and fits the physical description and resembles the sketch. It's sleuthing 101 that if Cooper did not survive the jump, then that's the type of person we should look for. I thought it be a welcomed break from chasing blue eyed suspects that the FBI isn't interested in. I guess I was wrong. C:-)
People bring up the point that there's nothing connecting him to the crime, but there's nothing connecting anybody to the crime. No twenties, no parachute, nothing. If there is a suspect with any type of real evidence, then please share. We would love to know. ::)
By the way, you still didn't answer jontaylor's question. O0 O0 O0 Nice try though.
I guess I don't understand the question.
I don't disqualify Lepsy, but not disqualifying him doesn't make him "the guy". There has to be some affirming evidence against him and there isn't. That puts him in the same boat as all the other suspects.
If you take the idea that Cooper died in the jump and you're assuming it was an American (and either of those might be false), then absolutely you look at missing persons and Lepsy is one of them. But, if you're going to start down that path, I believe the line has to start with Vicki's dad, Mel Wilson. He's the right age, fits the description, and was a career criminal and con man.
I'm not going get into an argument with you on this one. You're entitled to your opinion on your suspect and I can't prove you wrong. I just don't see anything that makes him suspect.
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The whole suspect thingy is rather tricky in itself. certain things can link a suspect to being Cooper. one of the tricky ones would be experience in skydiving. the FBI now claims they don't believe he was experienced, so some who have pushed this issue are hurting themselves if the FBI continues to believe there own statements. Peterson, and Christiansen both had experience.
Living in and around Washington could be a connection, or link. a background in aviation is another, but this would only scratch the surface to even coming close to putting them on the plane, or out right accusing them of being Cooper. I'm positive that all the living witnesses have seen a majority of known suspects, and none have come forward.
Many have sent the FBI plenty of information which they believe proves the suspect is Cooper, some even state it.
We believe we have solved the case
The information given to the FBI has been looked over by an agent, and according to there own words, "no credible leads" have come into the case. I bet if they were to open the files on the suspects, you would find dozens of Christiansens, LD's, and Weber's throughout the files with similar proof, or links, but nothing putting them on the plane....
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But, if you're going to start down that path, I believe the line has to start with Vicki's dad, Mel Wilson. He's the right age, fits the description, and was a career criminal and con man.
I'm not going get into an argument with you on this one. You're entitled to your opinion on your suspect and I can't prove you wrong. I just don't see anything that makes him suspect.
First, let me start by saying I am not promoting Robert Richard Lepsy as a suspect. I have nothing new to add to the information I have shared about Lepsy. I have accomplished everything I wanted to concerning his case, except finding him and sharing that information with his family. I did however, put us in the best position possible to find that information.
One thing I want to do, though, is defend my reasoning on sharing his information and comparing him to the DBC description.
Mark, I realize you have a close personal relationship with Vicki Wilson, is that not true? Did you not travel to Washington with her and interview an eyewitness together? I hardly think you can give an unbiased opinion on a suspect who competes with Mel Wilson. I think you are just defending your friend, which is very noble. I am writing this so people who study this case and read this in the future see the whole picture and understand that most people's opinions on this board are highly subjective.
Mark, you once brilliantly said arguing over suspects is like arguing over who has the best looking imaginary friend. Yet, here we argue O0
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Mark, I realize you have a close personal relationship with Vicki Wilson, is that not true? Did you not travel to Washington with her and interview an eyewitness together? I hardly think you can give an unbiased opinion on a suspect who competes with Mel Wilson. I think you are just defending your friend, which is very noble. I am writing this so people who study this case and read this in the future see the whole picture and understand that most people's opinions on this board are highly subjective.
You can attack the opinion or you can attack the presenter. When you do the second, it's usually because can't do the first.
Regardless of any personal relationships, I think my opinion is well founded.
We have two missing persons we're comparing. One is a career criminal and con man. One is the right age. One disappeared only two months before the hijacking instead of two years. Both are the right height and build.
Other than being missing, there really is nothing else to tie either to crime. So, I'm not saying either Mel or Lepsy is or is not Cooper.
If you're going to look at missing persons, I would definitely look at both. But if you could only look at one, it seems logical to me that Mel Wilson is the one you'd look at first.
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Mark, I realize you have a close personal relationship with Vicki Wilson, is that not true? Did you not travel to Washington with her and interview an eyewitness together? I hardly think you can give an unbiased opinion on a suspect who competes with Mel Wilson. I think you are just defending your friend, which is very noble. I am writing this so people who study this case and read this in the future see the whole picture and understand that most people's opinions on this board are highly subjective.
You can attack the opinion or you can attack the presenter. When you do the second, it's usually because can't do the first.
Regardless of any personal relationships, I think my opinion is well founded.
We have two missing persons we're comparing. One is a career criminal and con man. One is the right age. One disappeared only two months before the hijacking instead of two years. Both are the right height and build.
Other than being missing, there really is nothing else to tie either to crime. So, I'm not saying either Mel or Lepsy is or is not Cooper.
If you're going to look at missing persons, I would definitely look at both. But if you could only look at one, it seems logical to me that Mel Wilson is the one you'd look at first.
Fair enough. I don't think we are actually too far apart on what we think to bicker about it, and I'm the one doing the bickering anyway. I consider you one of the more level headed people on the board and pay close attention to your opinion. On the positive side, we've been able to keep two missing persons in the public eye, and barring some unforeseen miracle, someone hearing these stories and coming forward with new information is the only way either cases will find resolution.
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Mark, I realize you have a close personal relationship with Vicki Wilson, is that not true? Did you not travel to Washington with her and interview an eyewitness together? I hardly think you can give an unbiased opinion on a suspect who competes with Mel Wilson. I think you are just defending your friend, which is very noble. I am writing this so people who study this case and read this in the future see the whole picture and understand that most people's opinions on this board are highly subjective.
You can attack the opinion or you can attack the presenter. When you do the second, it's usually because can't do the first.
Regardless of any personal relationships, I think my opinion is well founded.
We have two missing persons we're comparing. One is a career criminal and con man. One is the right age. One disappeared only two months before the hijacking instead of two years. Both are the right height and build.
Other than being missing, there really is nothing else to tie either to crime. So, I'm not saying either Mel or Lepsy is or is not Cooper.
If you're going to look at missing persons, I would definitely look at both. But if you could only look at one, it seems logical to me that Mel Wilson is the one you'd look at first.
Fair enough. I don't think we are actually too far apart on what we think to bicker about it, and I'm the one doing the bickering anyway. I consider you one of the more level headed people on the board and pay close attention to your opinion. On the positive side, we've been able to keep two missing persons in the public eye, and barring some unforeseen miracle, someone hearing these stories and coming forward with new information is the only way either cases will find resolution.
I agree as well. I think we do a good job on this board of disagreeing without being disagreeable. That's why I come here.
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Here is a brief timeline of recent events concerning Robert Richard Lepsy. In November of 2014, Brent Ashcroft and I started working on a news piece concerning Lepsy’s possible resemblance to the FBI sketch of “D.B. Cooper”. The goals of the news piece were to raise awareness of Lepsy’s obscure disappearance in the hopes of inspiring someone to come forward with new information, and also, to persuade the FBI to take a look at Lepsy’s resemblance to Cooper and get Lepsy into the FBI’s “system”.
In November of 2015, the news piece was release nationally and was one of the biggest stories over Thanksgiving weekend. Link=USA Today story on Robert Richard Lepsy (http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2015/11/24/dick-lepsy-ross-richardson-lisa-db-cooper-grayling-michigan-fbi/75886946/)
Though the story was seen by millions and millions of people, no new tips on the disappearance of Robert Richard Lepsy were received.
Two months later, in January of 2016, the FBI received test results from the FBI laboratory concerning materiel from what the FBI described as a “suspect who came to their attention”. They also commented that this suspect was the only one who fit eyewitness descriptions of D.B. Cooper ( 6’, Brown eyes, black hair, etc.) in the last five years (post L.D.?)
Upon receiving the FBI lab test results, the FBI decided to immediately close the Cooper case after 45 years because they thought the case was unprosecutable. The FBI is no longer interested in hearing about any other suspects whatsoever, ever. That’s done. It’s over.
The FBI announced the closing of the Cooper case via press release in July of 2016, in tandem with a History Channel show concerning the Cooper case.
I am not promoting Robert Richard Lepsy as a suspect in the D.B. Cooper case. I merely want to present the facts of what happened for people who may read this in the future, and defend my decision on bringing this information forward.
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Though I never thought Lepsy was a good suspect, you certainly do not have to defend your decision on bringing him forward as a possible suspect. Ultimately your goal was to find answers about Lepsy and give his family some answers. I hope you can eventually do that, regardless of whether or not Lepsy was Cooper.
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Today, October 29th, is the 45th anniversary of the disappearance of Dick Lepsy. His car was found in the Cherry Capitol Airport parking lot in Traverse City, Michigan, unlocked, keys in the ignition and half a pack of cigarettes on the dash. He was never seen or heard from again.
Do you know what brand he smoked? Smokers will smoke anything in a pinch, but most are pretty true to their brand. The last time a store told me they didn't have my brand I stared at the clerk like he'd said it in Klingon.
Where DBC was before Portland airport is a huge question mark. Lepsy physically doesn't sound like Cooper to me, and my gut is that Cooper was in Portland before the 305 flight, mainly because it wouldn't make sense to hit two checkpoints with a "bomb" in a briefcase when you could just hit one - especially as the first checkpoint would be to board a plane without rear stairs. But it made sense to board a west coast 727 rather than an east coast one, as most of Nixon's sky marshal teams were east coast or Florida area. So an east coast Cooper would be smart to go west before pulling "the job". Even if not Lepsy, Cooper could be east coast or out of country, could be a missing person, and was certainly a real smoker. Non smokers rarely go through 8 cigs for show. He'd have coughed his brains out.
Oh, and back to the smoking - I smoke moderately, but chain-smoked when I lived in Japan and they were $2 a pack and we were partying a lot. But I do remember that when I flew (and you could still smoke on most Asian flights in the 1990s), I smoked far less, because in cabin air the smokes taste and smell stronger and dry out your throat more. Smokers still smoke, but most will not chain smoke during a flight. Eight is a fair number for an elongated but still short flight. I think Cooper was a fairly heavy smoker, but that's just an educated guess.