DB Cooper / aka Duane Weber, John C. Collins

[dbcoopercatcher]

Folks, I think it is time to start a thread related to DB Cooper, but this thread will focus only on Duane Weber, aka John C. Collins, aka. Wayne Weber, aka Dwayne Weber. Let's use this thread to discuss the lives and times of Duane from his upbringing to service in wwii, his stints in prison, and the potential of him as being the infamous DB Cooper.

Please share any thoughts, knowledge, or pictures of Duane. Especially, any knowledge of where Duane obtained his skydiving experience and where he was during the thanksgiving weekend of 1971. Any information on Duane would be appreciated by his former wife, Jo Weber. AS you may or may not know, Duane unfortunately passed away from kidney disease in the mid 1990's, but just before dying, admitted he was in fact the famous hijacker, DB Cooper. Please help his former wife, Jo Weber, in her quest to prove that Duane was in fact DB Cooper. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance for your help.

db

[MsCooper]

Many of you know my story and I am not sure how to begin. I will currently ask you to reference the other board and then ask me questions and I will answer them here. I am trying to learn how to get pictures on this thread so be patient with me. I am asking for the help of the public to bring this to an end.

The FBI has neither the resources nor man power to work this COLD case. I will post many photos of Duane from the various stages of his life. When I married him in 1978 he told me that all prior photos had been lost or destroyed, but of course some have been located with the help of relatives and friends. The prison photos that have been located were found by Doug Pasternak who was with U.S. News and World Reports and now is associated with another new media.

Mr. Pasternak was instrumental in my going public in 2000 and communicated with me for 2 yrs before I would agree that we had enough to go public. I had been communicating with the FBI and searching by phone and more phone as I did not own a computer in 1996 when I realized what he had been trying to tell me while he was in the hospital. My phone bill was huge and there were many time that I didn't know how I was going to pay it, but something always came thru.

The years of searching have not been without success and failures. These yrs have taken their toll on my private life and career, but I have been driven by the many things that no one can take from me - my memory of the years we spent together and the things he told me and the confession (which I did not understand in March of 1995). I did not know who DAN COOPER was.

I held the ticket and what appeared to be a parking stub in my hand during the yr. of 1994 - as time goes on I will tell you my story. I will just start with the boring parts so bear with me. This will not be tonight. If you want to get a glimpse of what I will be telling you, go to the other thread and read their theories and the posting I have made on that site. There were many times that I got very upset as things I would say were turned around or taken out of context.

I will try to be accurate in my accounting, but time and the different stages of the information that I acquired over 11 yrs and 9 ft of reseach can get very confusing for someone of my age. There are times that I will loose you as I go from subject to subject thinking that the listener knows all that I know. I make mistakes, but as for the accountings of the crime all I have is what I read and there is a lot of misinformation out there.

What happend to who and when it happened is not important --- What is important is that as many people as possible read this and view the multiple photos that I will be posting. All so his history as best as we can possible put it together. He was married to me for 17 yrs, but prior to our marriage he had spent 17 yrs in 6 different federal prisons --- I was not aware of his past.

There have been times when I have gone to the closet or bathroom and screamed into a pillow - asking -- WHY, WHY DID YOU TELL ME? Yet, I am driven to find the truth because I have never been able to let something just go in my life. I have never left anything undone until I have done ALL that I able to do.

Hopefully with the help of the public - others can help me fill in the blanks. Ex-con's who may remember him from prison, prior employers and co-workers, piano bar attendants and patrons - who will remember him from his singing and his voice and his choice of songs. I also pray that Tina Mucklow and Florence Shaffner, the stewardesses will view the photos.

So many of the witnesses have already died since I started my search in 1996 -- I only know of two left alive who actually saw Cooper. If you know either of these women and can get them to please help me, I will be forever grateful.

I did communicate with Tina. but I did not inflict upon her photos and she at that time chose not to help, but hopefully she will change her mind when she sees that I too have been living thru a Hell on earth. The damage that he caused to that young lady will forever be in my mind, but I know she has forgiven him --- She is a woman of God. She may well be the only person who can set me free and end my suffering.

Anyone who can help me trace his past --- Please help.

[MsCooper]

I finally figured out how to get a picture in either the profile or the avatar, but not sure which took. I need now to get other photos into the posts themselves....The picture showing is his intake to the Canon City prison in 1962 and there is a release picture that doesn't look like the same person.
Then there are some snapshots and polaroid photos I have be able to find dated 1968, 1970, 1978 --- these again do not look like the same person. He could change his looks like a chameleon.

There is a very important photo of Duane that was taken in 1980 --- he is older, but I think the expression on his face will cause the artist who did the composite and the witnesses to remember something - something that was told to the artist by the witnesses, but that the artist could not portray in his sketch. This is a part of the description that was never made public.

[MsCooper]

The attached picture is a paper document which was acquired by Doug Pasternak regarding Duane Lorin Weber being released from the Canon City CO prison in 1962. Note that he looks very different from the intake photo in 1960, but he is tanned and has a smile on his face --- note that the intake photo is hard and the out-take photo his appearance has taken on a boyish look.

The clothes and shoes he is being released in are Shabby to say the least, but his overall appearance leads one to believe that he had some kind of forestry training while serving in midst of that huge forest. We have never been able to obtain his work records there, but someone who was in that prison or worked there might remember him and have some knowledge of his work detail.

I have sought out information on this prison, but little is available. Establishing what training was available in that prison might be the piece of the puzzle that we need. Can you Help?

I know that you can not read the description on the file so here it is.
Height 6
Weight 190
Complexion - Medium Ruddy
Eyes Brown
Date 5-3-62
CSP 32755

[dbcoopercatcher]

Jo, Love what you have done with the site. I see you figured out how to scan the pictures to this site. Hope my directions assisted you. Anyway, would love to see those pictures of Duane from 1971 that you have. BTW, his appearance did change while in prison, it looks like he lost a lot of weight while in the big house. The picture of him being released in 1962, was that the last day Duane spent time in prison?

good luck with the site

db

[Popeye Doyle]

Are those both release photos or is one his inbound photo?

Are these the photos you were talking about, you know...how
he changed his appearance?

Popeye

[MsCooper]

Originally Posted by Popeye Doyle

Are those both release photos or is one his inbound photo?

Are these the photos you were talking about, you know...how
he changed his appearance?

Popeye

Popeye - the picture in the profile and avatar are the 1960 intake photos and the two standing with street clothes on are the release photos in 1962. He is tanned and grinning (of course he is being released) and his look has changed to a softer look.

These ARE not the photos I have spoken about --- I have to go and get them --- I will be posting what I have here as I can down load them, but due to a heavy appointment schedule with Drs and testing it will probably be about the end of July. I had them put on a disk due to the hurricane and took the originals to another location. What I am posting are some good paper copies I had at the house, because the disk was of very poor quality.

[MsCooper]

Originally Posted by dbcoopercatcher

Jo, Love what you have done with the site. I see you figured out how to scan the pictures to this site. Hope my directions assisted you. Anyway, would love to see those pictures of Duane from 1971 that you have. BTW, his appearance did change while in prison, it looks like he lost a lot of weight while in the big house. The picture of him being released in 1962, was that the last day Duane spent time in prison?

good luck with the site

db

Again I thank you for starting this thread for me. I took both your notes and Popeye's notes and about 4 hours to do it. I am not sure I will remember how to do it when I get around to scanning some more.

As I am able to do this you will see more photos almost in the order that I saw them for the first time. NOTE: That it was several ys. after I made my claim that I first saw the composite that you are using on your posting --- all I had was a quarter size black and white print from a newspaper clipping. In the very begining all I had was the black and white "Bing Crosby" look-a-like composite.

The FBI finally sent me good copies of the composites with and without glasses in the fall of 1998. Until then I had never seen the color of the complexion that they tried to do .... in the composite.

My daughter was visiting when the composites arrived. Coming back across the street from the mail box I collapsed in my yard - I was shaking and trembling and holding the composites up to my daughter (she thought I was having a stroke). All I could do was say "Look, Look, Look" as I could get no other words out. She looked at what I was holding in my hand and said "I guess he was Cooper". Until that moment I am not sure she believed me.

Looking up the date of when I recieved the composites I found the letter that the FBI sent to me in 1998. All they had done at that time was to check Duane's fingerprint file with those found at the crime site. At that time I was unaware of Duane's association with another felon who changed his prints within the penal system and with whom Duane had a personal relationship. I was cautioned by "others" not to not talk about that relationship as it would damage my credibility.

Yrs later when I did talk to the FBI about the situation and the fingerprints - Agent Hope was adamant that it never happened and that it could not happen. Well, I made them aware of official documents that do prove a certain individual did changed his prints at Jefferson City and escaped --- they have never responded to this. It is something they do not want me to go public with, but at this time I have NOTHING to loose.

This was possible in 1967, but would not be possible with the systems in place at later dates.

Let me explain what I mean by changing the prints on the FBI file. If an inmate has access to clerical files thru his own efforts or is able to purchase the access - a fingerprint card with prints of someone who does not have a record can be substituted for the original prints. The inmate who did do this knew Duane and the two wives shared living accommodations in a nearby community. I am not sure how it was done and the above is purely speculation. The penal system has never explained how this person changed his prints and that prison had a shake down, which pointed out the corruption within the prison.

The FBI has NEVER responed to my communications regarding this - wonder WHY? When you see the prison photos does it not make you feel that they did not investigate Duane Weber - that ALL they did was compare fingerprints with those from the crime site and with other fingerprints of interest (as the agent put it)?

copywrite 2006 JoWeber/MsCooper

[dbcoopercatcher]

Jo, It doesn't really matter if Duane's prints' matched with those on 305. There is no proof that any of the prints the Feds obtained from the airliner are from Cooper. Actually, the odds of one of the 67 latents being from Cooper are actually quite slim. Unless, of course, the feds know for sure they have Cooper's print. If that were the case, I think the feds would have caught Cooper a long time ago. Conclusion, Duane's prints not matching any from the airliner is inconsequential.

db

[MsCooper]

The tie and tac left behind by Cooper. The tie was of the narrow black tie that was at that time and for years later a very standard part of the uniform for bartenders, waiters, food servers, bus boys, and sales. It was during the early 70's that the ties became wider, but many sales persons such as debit (insurance collected door to door) salesmen continued to use the narrow clips because of convenience. The area in which one lived also contributed to the style of tie. The ties had become wider in the 70's, but the narrow tie continued to be used.

In Atlanta, Georgia - most of the major upscale restaurants required the narrow tie with a tie clip or tac as the uniform of choice for the food servers and others. (Perhaps so they were easy to spot and not mistaken for a patron) - The Midnight Sun which is a restuarant in Atlanta in the 70's required this of its personnel. I do not know if Duane worked there under the name of John C. Collins or Duane Lorin Weber - and I do not know in what capacity he was employed. He talked about cleaning up the kitchen and that he was the last to go home....he never said what he did. He was probably working at two jobs and using both names.

CAN YOU HELP ME FIND OUT WHAT THESE COMPANIES WERE:
Employment History from 1969 to 1971.

Tax return for 1969 --- shows he worked at the Bourbon Orleans Hotel in New Orleans, La. and the Mobil Teria Catering Co. in Kansas City, Mo, and the Annbar Associate Hotel Muehebach in Kansas, MO and also the Thirteenth and Baltimor Corp in Kansas.

Tax return for 1970 --- Cherokee Town & Country Club, Inc in Atlanta, GA and Burke Concrete Accessories, Inc Burlingame, CA. and Modulus Corp of Cleveland, OH, and one insurance company which I will not mention because I have already spoke to them, but I will say that he was working from Columbia, SC.

Tax return for 1971 --- he was part in Atlanta and part in S.C. (a licensed insurance agent). How did he get an insurance license when he was a 6 time felon with approximately 17 yrs collectively in these prisons? From one company he made $1769. and the other was for $566. --- his wife made around $1000 for the yr. DESPARATE MAN AND HIS WIFE LEFT HIM IN OCTOBER. Also note that for the yr. of 1971 the government only reported earnings of $150. ????

Something unusual about some photos that year regarding cars.?????

Also a photo from 1971 showing some other items of interest and the one showing him all decked out with dyed hair. He had salt and pepper hair, but it had been dyed. His wife of the era admitted that she dyed his hair at one time.

Tax return for 1972 --- Lots of medical expenses, New car. fire and theft reported on a home he was living in Sept. 1972. I spoke with the company he was employed by - he was a top salesman making good money.

Service connections? Notification in March 31, 1943 showing an Army serial Number. Letter from Camp Sibert, Alabama dated April 15, 1943 addressed to his mother with that Serial Number.

Letter from Navy Dept. denying his request to re-enlist dated Nov. 18, 1942. Notification dated Nov. 1 1942 - Selective service and registration card. Letter from US Naval Air Station in May 30 of 1942 indicates a Bad Conduct discharge. Letter dated March 17, 1942 from Jacksonville, FL indicates he is in good health and on 6 months probation due to misconduct. On May 30, 1942 waived transportation back to his home and intended to stay in the Jacksonville, FL. area. Some of these papers refer to Selective Training and Service and show two months in Newport, R.I. and over nine months in Jacksonville. Note the dates of service and rejection - it has been said by the family that his mother changed his birth date on the certificate to indicate that he was born in 1924 when he was actually born in 1925...I have no confirmation of this....but it might explain the letter of denial to re-enlist and the fact that he did indeed serve after that time.

These records were researched and compiled by Doug Pasternak at that time with the US New and World Reports. What we cannot understand is that he is kicked out of the Navy and then turns up in the Army. Can anyone provide answers for this. The records are accurate and there are legal documentations for each of the.

[MsCooper]

Originally Posted by dbcoopercatcher

Jo, It doesn't really matter if Duane's prints' matched with those on 305. There is no proof that any of the prints the Feds obtained from the airliner are from Cooper. Actually, the odds of one of the 67 latents being from Cooper are actually quite slim. Unless, of course, the feds know for sure they have Cooper's print. If that were the case, I think the feds would have caught Cooper a long time ago. Conclusion, Duane's prints not matching any from the airliner is inconsequential.

db

The letter from the FBI bases their opinion that he was not Cooper on the prints alone. It is obvious that they did not do a through background check when Agent Hope denied that Duane had never spent time in WA at the McNeil Island Federal Prison --- Doug Pasternak got the records and I got the information and letters from the family --- all which PROVE he was a resident in McNeil Island Federal Prison in the state of WA.

[dbcoopercatcher]

Maybe the FBI knows for sure they do in fact have a print from Cooper. This would explain their letter to you which states that Duane's prints don't match with any from flight 305.

db

[MsCooper]

Originally Posted by dbcoopercatcher

Maybe the FBI knows for sure they do in fact have a print from Cooper. This would explain their letter to you which states that Duane's prints don't match with any from flight 305.

db

They checked the prints on the FBI central system --- those prints are from Jefferson City and if my guess is correct those prints will not match his prison prints from - McNeil Fed Prison, San Quentin, Folsom, Canon City Fed and the Ohio State Pen.

If the other person who was a known associate of his could do it then it is likely that he also did it. This would explain why he was able to sell insurance for yrs and get a DUI with a gun in his possession in 1976 and another DUI in 1980. The DUI with a gun did not result in his being sent back to prison (felons cannot have guns). I know they finger printed him in 1980 in Ft. Collins Colorado because I was with him.

[dbcoopercatcher]

Originally Posted by MsCooper

They checked the prints on the FBI central system --- those prints are from Jefferson City and if my guess is correct those prints will not match his prison prints from - McNeil Fed Prison, San Quentin, Folsom, Canon City Fed and the Ohio State Pen.

If the other person who was a known associate of his could do it then it is likely that he also did it. This would explain why he was able to sell insurance for yrs and get a DUI with a gun in his possession in 1976 and another DUI in 1980. The DUI with a gun did not result in his being sent back to prison (felons cannot have guns). I know they finger printed him in 1980 in Ft. Collins Colorado because I was with him.

Jo, what you are saying is alarming. If the FBI checked Duane's prints from either McNeil, SanQuentin, Folsom, Canon City, or Ohio State, that these prints could in fact match with Cooper's. If you are suggesting this, then why won't the FBI check out this lead and close this case. Are you telling me that you are sure the FBI has a print from Cooper? This could be huge. Why won't they at least verify that Duane's prints from the six penal institutions match and also match AIFIS?

db

[MsCooper]

Originally Posted by dbcoopercatcher

Jo, what you are saying is alarming. If the FBI checked Duane's prints from either McNeil, SanQuentin, Folsom, Canon City, or Ohio State, that these prints could in fact match with Cooper's. If you are suggesting this, then why won't the FBI check out this lead and close this case. Are you telling me that you are sure the FBI has a print from Cooper? This could be huge. Why won't they at least verify that Duane's prints from the six penal institutions match and also match AIFIS?

db

I do not know that they have a print for Cooper. What I am saying is that Duane Weber's FBI file probably does not have his prints on it - IF they established that file with his last imprisonment in Jefferon City, Missouri.

I am only saying that I do not believe that the Jefferson City prints and the prints from the other prisons are the same