Strap Found Deep In The Pacific Northwest Handed Over To The FBI

The FBI is looking at a recently-discovered item that may be connected with the D.B. Cooper hijacking case, though they are not saying that it is enough to reopen the investigation.

Los Angeles TV and film producer Tom Colbert has been working with a team of about 40 people on what is one of the most discussed cold cases in history ... D.B. Cooper's hijacking of an airliner in 1971 and then parachuting out, though exactly where has never really been determined.

The team recently located a piece of frayed nylon strap material that might have been part of Cooper's parachute. Fox News reports that it was found in a mound of dirt deep in the Pacific Northwest mountains about two weeks ago, and was handed over to the FBI in Ventura County, CA last Friday. Colbert said he hopes that the new piece of physical evidence will lead the FBI to reopen the case. The agency officially stopped its investigation of the hijacking last year.

The FBI confirmed a meeting with Colbert, however FBI Los Angeles Office spokeswoman Laura Eimiller said in an email Sunday to Fox News only that any evidence brought to the agency "will be evaluated for its value. This case falls under the purview of FBI Seattle so my understanding is that it will be forwarded there.

“However, I can reassure you that the FBI's Seattle Field Office will review any physical items possibly related to the parachute or money taken by the NORJAK hijacker. Based on that review, the FBI will take any appropriate action,” she said

Colbert said the team, led by a former FBI agent, found the strap while digging at a site where a credible source said that parachute and money that is left are buried. Some money believed to be from the hijacking was found by a nine-year-old boy on a family outing near the Columbia river nine years after the hijacking took place. The serial numbers on those bill matched those given to Cooper.

(Image from file)

FMI: www.fbi.gov