I’m Billy Jensen from HISTORY’s new special D.B. Cooper: Case Closed? Ask me anything!

Any chance this will be an hour long with a voice-over saying something along the lines of "How did he do it? When we return I will recap everything you just saw and then show you glimpses of the next act just so we can repeat this again. This will go on until the very end when I will say 'no one really knows the truth'"?

Or... Is there a chance this is an actual story with an ending explaining everything?

Betteridge's law of headlines is an adage that states: "Any headline that ends in a question mark can be answered by the word no"

I do not think the use of the question mark was warranted, but I didn't name the special.

[deleted]

Yes, I did. But it was voted down. https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/4rvmrn/im_billy_jensen_from_historys_new_special_db/d54h348

I can also confirm that there is no "chance this will be an hour long with a voice-over." It is my understanding that it's four hours.

Sockdad, there is always a chance :) I will say that it is the most exhaustive investigation TV has ever seen on this case, and we talk to people and uncover facts that have never been uncovered.

Long voice-over with lots of recapping and no conclusions confirmed.

It will also be the same voice over guy from forensic files I bet.

Not sure who did the voiceover, but I am sure he has a deeper voice than me.

Can you just come out and say if it was 3 inept kayakers that were rescued by an unnamed mountain man who discovered his stash?

No, I cannot. But if this a comedy script of yours, I might be interested. Who plays the mountain man?

I only know about D.B. Cooper thanks to a quest in a game called 4x4 Evo (I think). So if this will enlighten me a bit more, I'm in! However if this is a trick I will go full Liam Neeson on the producer of the show :-)

So you are saying you have a particular set of skills, Sockdad?

Can you give History channel a message for me? Can you tell History channel to quit being stupid and put some education on its channel? remember modern marvels?

You are going to learn a lot in this one--from aviation to psychology.

Are aliens mentioned?

No, there are no aliens mentioned. In fact, while conspiracy theories did come up during the interviews, aliens were never mentioned.

So what are the odds that DB Cooper is secretly Tommy Wiseau?

THIS IS WHAT I WANT TO KNOW!

The hair doesn't match.

Do we believe there is any link to Kid Rock to this unsolved case? For example, in the song Bawitaba, Kid Rock says hes doing it for "DB Cooper and the money he took". Sounds like a little bit too much of a coincidence to me...

No, While Bawitaba is a great example of late 90s aggro rock, it has little to do with the case.

What's your opinion of Huey Lewis?

Their early work was a little too new wave for my tastes, but when Sports came out in '83, I think they really came into their own, commercially and artistically.

Thank you, Mr. Bateman.

Have you seen the movie "Without a Paddle"?

love that movie.

Starring Seth Green and Dax Shepard! No, I have not.

I don't think the exclamation point is warranted.

heh, I agree.

Betteridge's law would tell us the case isn't closed. Are you satisfied you solved it?

I personally don't think the question mark is warranted in the title.

What did you find out that was new? How were you able to find it after all this time?

We learned from interviewing the co-pilot that the flight path that was charted was not the path that he took. He sheepishly admitted it, as he was zig-zagging since he was flying by hand. He said he had never told anyone. So the drop zone could have been different.

Why would he lie about not flying on the charted path? That seems like a major break in the case.

It was close. I'm talking within a few miles. But when he told us, it felt like that scene in Raiders--"They're digging in the wrong place!"

Probably still employed with the air line at the time and didn't want to get fired.

The crew all did such a great job, that was not a possibility .

Was Todd Snider consulted to be the musical director of the show?

no, but I know he plays Phoenix tonight!

There was a post on Reddit I read awhile ago about DB Cooper and a redditor said he thought his dad actually was DB Cooper and listed some explanation as to why he thought so. It sounded pretty genuine to me, maybe someone else can link to it.

So my question is, have you heard of that or looked into that at all?

Edit: found it https://www.reddit.com/r/todayilearned/comments/27vupd/til_there_is_only_one_unsolved_airline_hijacking/ci5afeu

I did a lot of research, including on reddit, but I'd have to see the link first. There were a bunch of those stories.

Do you consider yourself to be someone who is inclined to see validity in conspiracy theories? Or has your experience investigating unsolved cases lead you to become more, for lack of a better word, pessimistic about such theories? If you you see yourself as more of the former, what do you have to say to those that refuse to give credence to such theories?

I have been working cases for 20 years, and I must say I subscribe to Occam's razor more often than not.

This is the Dan Cooper Comic I was talking about. In my opinion, choosing the name Dan Cooper is like an English guy choosing the name James Bond. There is something there. The comic was not available in the US. https://www.google.com/search?q=dan+cooper+comic+book&safe=off&rlz=1C5CHFA_enUS583US583&biw=1287&bih=768&tbm=isch&imgil=2qgRGd8F6rX_AM%253A%253BRqJIkUBC2F-XLM%253Bhttps%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.fbi.gov%25252Fnews%25252Fstories%25252F2009%25252Fmarch%25252Fin-search-of-d.b.-cooper%25252Fdbcooper_031709&source=iu&pf=m&fir=2qgRGd8F6rX_AM%253A%252CRqJIkUBC2F-XLM%252C_&usg=__HeglDPo70yZHb9b75jI1-iT-pVc%3D&ved=0ahUKEwi187zivuTNAhUMx2MKHVJsAUIQyjcIOg&ei=B_B_V_XTIYyOjwPS2IWQBA#imgrc=2qgRGd8F6rX_AM%3A

So, who is DB Cooper?

Thank you for cutting right to the chase RioGandreKingtrude! I can safely say who DB Cooper isn't. Not the guy from Prison Break, and not Don Draper.

Your Take? Could this be the area where more money might be found?, and if found whose is it? - The "Palmer Report" stemmed from the FBI bringing in Portland State University geologist Dr. Leonard Palmer to analyze the sand bar where the money was found. In between the 1971 hijacking and the 1980 money find, the Columbia River was dredged and sand was deposited on Tena Bar in 1974. Palmer's report determined that the money was in a layer of top sand laid down by the dredging. This implied that the money was somewhere else upstream for years before coming to rest on Tena Bar. The counterpoint was that the delicate rubber bands were still intact on the bundles when found. The bands pointed to an earlier time frame for the money coming to rest on Tena

The thing that prevents me from believing the dredge theory is exactly what you said--the rubber bands. The rubber bands were intact. Tests showed that those bands wouldn't have lasted a year in those conditions. I think the money was buried.

Are you Doobie Keebler?

I am not answering that question, Matthew.

Hi Billy! Can't wait to see the special. Couple questions:

1. Did anyone recreate the jump?
2. Did you travel into the woods to look for the body?
3. Any 'squatch sightings up there? :)

1. No. It has been done in the past though.
2. I did, but not as long as I would have liked.
3. It's not as woodsy as you might think. So no Bigfoot.

Why did DB Cooper capture so many people's imaginations?

Because this guy was on our radar for a handful of hours, and we know nothing about him. It was a big crime, that has many rabbit holes to go down, and since no one died, there are a lot (and I mean A LOT) of people who have claimed they were DB Cooper, or their relatives were. and I have yet to meet an IT guy that wasn't suave.

I have yet to meet an IT guy that wasn't suave.

Wait, are we thinking about the same kind of IT here?

if there's one thing I have learned--always be nice to your IT guy.

What are the odds he died jumping out of the airplane?

We were on a 727, and I went down those aft stairs. Standing on them (on the ground), and thinking about the wind and rain coming at you, having only 5,000 feet of clearance before you hit the ground, and some of the things we learn about the chute he used...it is definitely a possibility.

How much of the money was recovered?

$5,800 was recovered along the river, very far from the drop zone.

What was the most challenging aspect of the case to wrap your mind around?

Also, I'd like more proof you are who you say you are. I will accept this proof in the form of D.B. Coopers stash mailed to my P.O. Box for serial number verification.

Thank you for your compliance.

The most frustrating was going through security at every airport, and thinking--if only they had this when he was around, and I wouldn't be flying up to Portland and Seattle looking for him. There is no photo of him at all, so that was the most challenging.

And please send me your PO Box and I will get a 20 out to you, and you can match the serial number up with the list.

Any personal anecdotes about Cooper from passengers? Did he tell jokes or interact with them? Did he seem personable and relaxed?

He was as suave as could be for a guy with a "bomb" next to him. But one of the most interesting things came from the guy sitting across the aisle from him. Bill Mitchell was a young, good looking guy, and he was upset that the stewardess had taken a seat and was spending so much attention to this other guy, so he started picking him apart in this head.

Not a passenger per sae, but, what did the stewardess learn is what I think the poster was after.

He was calm at first, polite, but then would get agitated when the money and the chutes weren't getting there fast enough on the ground. He used the term "no funny stuff" a lot.

He used the term "no funny stuff" a lot.

So he was a nihilist, then?

In the Walter Sobchak definition of nihilist? Perhaps he was.

How do you feel about DB Cooper? Anti-hero or crook?

He is a crook.

What's the biggest factor pointing to DB Cooper dying in the jump and surviving the jump and getting away with it?

Well, the biggest factor is no body or chute was ever found. Putting on the parachute myself, the one he chose was rigged in a way where the ripcord was close to the back. It would be very difficult to reach and pull.

Are we going to expect anything new here, or is it the same ol' lady who overheard her uncle and dad talking about it at thanksgiving and then his money problems went away?

There is a lot more. We do talk the lady you are referring to though. See my face during that interview and judge my reaction when you watch the show.

The D.B. Cooper skyjacking is far and away the most (in)famous of those attempted in its era. Did you have to explore skyjacking as a whole in order to get a sense of the D.B. Cooper incident, and if so, what is the most interesting of these early 70's crimes that doesn't get as much attention as Northwest Orient Flight 305?

I did look into a lot of them. The reason this was so unique, was that it was on the west coast, and it was for money, not politics. This ushered in a whole new thought of--instead of a bank, I should do rob a plane. And I think McCoy's case should get more attention, as we know he survived, but since it wasn't a mystery, it doesn't get play

Has there been any new evidence uncovered since Brad Meltzer's Decoded episode about Cooper?

Yes there has been. We uncovered new evidence, and spoke to people he did not, including the first interview in 44 years with the stewardess who spent the most time with him.

Ive always thought DB stood for Douchebag Cooper, is this true?

Hi MoKenna, in our investigation, the name DB came from a mishearing from a reporter. So the Douchebag theory is a no.

Many people here are focusing on your upcoming documentary but I want to know something about you. Do you prefer waffles or pancakes?

Waffles. But if the pancakes have chocolate chips, I will go for it.

I kind of always ask people the same question because their answers fascinate me: why'd you choose to go into your field?

Because I hate the guy who thinks he got away with it.

Just one question:
Why haven't you caught me yet?
Muwah-HAHAHAHA!!

I thought you were Batman.

Hi Billy, off subject a bit, will Michele Mcnamaras book on the ear/ons/gsk ever be published? Thanks man..

yes, it will be, by hell or high water. We are working on it.

Hey Billy! First off, I love Luna already. Sweet pup.

Second, would you consider trying to find out what happened to the Sodder kids? I would love to see the area that the dirt was spread over the ashes sifted and gone through to search for bones. It seems like something History Channel could use to boost up their programming. Plus that's my pet case and I'm ridiculously curious about it.

Third, I'll set my DVR right now for your show. I'm fascinated by DB Cooper! Thanks for the AMA!

You are the second person to mention the Sodder kids. I would be up for doing that case for sure.

Is MF Doom like DB Cooper?

Cooper didn't wear a mask, so far as we know. But both do have supervillain personas.

Two questions for you:

1. What % chance would you put it at that he survived the parachute jump (guesstimating of course)?

2. Are there any suspects that stand-ahead of the others, or is he a true, absolute mystery?

Zero, % chance is a tough one, and I go back and forth on it. He could have survived--it was a survivable jump, according to the jumpers we met.

and there are a couple of suspects that stand up for sure, but there is also a hole in the search I think needs to be filled.

Why did he need 4 pair-of-shoes when he jumped from the plane?

I see what you did there.

Is this airing on the regular history channel or H2? I'm praying for the first because I would love to see some actual decent tv on it for once (looking at you Rick and co)

Love anything to do with DB Cooper. Very excited for this!

The regular History Channel, July 10 and 11, 9pm eastern.

Hey I have question. How much will this show delve into Ancient Aliens, Atlantis and Bigfoot?

Being a "History Channel" show, will there be lots of hypothetical theories on how any of the three might've had something to do with DB Cooper and the money he stole?

No aliens, no Atlantis, and no Bigfoot.

Any time a person from the media puts a question mark at the end of their headline/title, the answer is more than likely "No"

Based on this, and the fact that you work for the History Channel, I'm assuming the answer is "No, it was aliens".

How'd I do?

We do not cover the alien theory.

You couldn't smile in your proof picture?

Tiny Rick, I'd like to introduce you to my mom :)

Who paid for your services? How did you prove a strong record of success?

History Channel paid for my services. They brought myself and a former FBI agent (actually former assistant director), to vet a theory. But before we did so, we investigated from scratch.

That's what I meant. Before the History Channel recruited you....who paid for your services? How did you afford acquiring that experience?

The theory that we are vetting is a team of 40 investigators, helmed by two journalists. As far as I know, they were not funded.

Whats the most famous case you've worked on besides the DB Cooper one? Follow up to that, have you ever read about the "Disappearance of the Sodder Children"?

Also

this Sunday and Monday, July 10th & 11th.

Come on buddy you can't pique my interest and then make me wait lol

For redittors, it might be Maura Murray. I wrote about that case for Boston Magazine. I also wrote about the Luka Magnotta case for Rolling Stone. I have read about the Sodder case--they disappeared after the fire in West Virginia.

paging Dr. Cooper! Dr. D.B. Cooper!

It took an hour and 40 minutes to get an Archer reference on this thing.

Why is there little to no real history content on the history channel now days? I use to love watching it to learn something from what i would best describe as PBS style documentaries. But now days it is nothing but reality TV style shows that spend half the show recapping what happened prior to commercial, which wasn't very much info anyway. It is so bad that I just can't watch it anymore.

Hello, DongleNocker. I can't speak to other programming, but there is a lot of history in this one.

How much of the stolen money was recovered in the end?

5800 bucks. That's it. I think that was the money he had taken out to tip the crew, but they refused.

Can we assume that Betteridge's law will be in effect here?

That is to say, "Case Closed?" It ends in a question mark, therefore NO!!!

And for that matter, is any of the stuff you're doing actually journalism, or is it just sensationalist TV?

I personally don't think the question mark is warranted in the title. And if journalism is knocking on people's doors, talking to eyewitnesses, scientists and law enforcement in an attempt to tell a complete picture of what happened, then I would say yes.

Have you made a jump from an airplane to simulate his jump?

No, but others have. I thought about it for about a minute, but I don't think it would have added much. And you couldn't replicate the conditions, which were the most important.

At what part of the investigation was the special greenlit? If nothing new had been uncovered, would it have still been produced?

I wasn't a producer on this one, so I can't answer the greenlight question for certain, but I was brought on to vet an investigation that was going on its fifth year.

What are your preliminary steps in an investigation? If someone hired you and said you have access to a million dollars and six months to track down some bankrobber who fled the US to Angola in 1970 - what would you do to find them?

First would be to identify who the guy is.

Hello, this may have been asked already but do you believe the famous composite of the suspect is accurate? Some have stated no, including the stewardess who spoke to him the most?

I think it is very close. I don't like composites in general, and would have liked to have viewed each individual one before we saw the composites, but both Mitchell and the stewardess we spoke to said they were close.

Luna! How did you get so damn cute?!

Still no answer...

My theory - Luna is DB Cooper. Hiding in plane sight

A spy disguising himself as as dog was the plot to Monty Python sketch. The sketch aired on November 28, 1974. DB Cooper's heist occured on November 24, 1971.

I postulate that DB Cooper was one of the members of Monty Python.

My son woke up one morning last week and declared he wanted to watch The Holy Grail. I was very proud.

Anyone ever tell you that you look like Dennis from Always Sunny?

No they haven't. I consider myself a Frank Reynolds type.

Any recordings or transcripts of his negotiations with FBI?

We read through all of the transcripts. But he was giving his demand to the stewardess, who would then walk the note up to the cockpit. He never spoke directly with law enforcement.

Would you take requests for your next investigation from a random guy on Reddit? If so can I suggest Hinterkaefick?

I will suggest it. Have never worked a cold case in Germany before, but would be up for it.

Do you think that you could on a plane now a days with the name D.B Cooper if you had proper Identification?

Sure. It wasn't even the name he wrote down on the ticket. He wrote Dan Cooper. So if you had proper ID, then I don't see why not. So if you are thinking of naming your next child DB Cooper, go ahead, but be prepared for questions.