More than fifty years ago, three Alcatraz inmates made a daring escape from the island prison and were presumed dead. But their families say they are still alive.
Brothers John and Clarence Anglin and fellow inmate Frank Morris made a makeshift raft in June 1962 and were never seen again. Prison officials presumed they had drowned but relatives of the Anglin brothers say they have the proof which shows they have survived.
The evidence includes Christmas cards sent from the brothers and a photograph of the pair from the 1970s.
The image is yet to have been revealed but will be shown in a new History Channel documentary airing soon.
The men are now said to be in their 80s even though the FBI closed the case in 1979 and they still maintain no one has ever successfully fled from the notorious prison.
Nephews of the Anglins, David and Ken Widner have kept quiet about their evidence until now but want to set the record straight about their uncles while their mother is still alive.
The claims were taken to retired US marshal Art Roderick who had worked on the case for 20 years. The Christmas cards arrived in 1962 and were verified as legitimate but it is still unknown as to when they were written.
The photograph suggesting the men were alive has led investigators to South America to look for the fugitives.
“This is absolutely the best actionable lead we’ve had. When you work these types of cases there’s a feeling you get when stuff starts to fall into place. I’m getting this feeling now.” – Art Roderick, speaking to the New York Post
In 1963, the FBI claimed bones washed up on the shore in San Francisco were those of the Anglin brothers, proving they were dead. But a DNA test on their brother’s bones proved they were not a match.
It is thought the bones were those of Frank Morris but that has not been verified.
One of America’s greatest criminal mysteries could be coming to an end very soon. And it’s absolutely fascinating.