The Infamous Alcatraz Escape
In June 1962, inmates Frank Morris and brothers John and Clarence Anglin staged the most legendary prison break in U.S. history. Alcatraz, long considered “inescapable,” became the scene of their daring plan.
Months of Preparation
The men secretly chipped away at their cell walls, using makeshift tools fashioned from spoons. To outsmart guards, they created realistic dummy heads, which allowed them to pass nightly bed checks unnoticed.
The Great Escape
Their most daring creation was a raft and life jackets sewn from stolen raincoats. On June 11, they crawled through ventilation shafts, climbed onto the roof, and disappeared into San Francisco Bay. By morning, guards discovered the dummies, the missing raft, and an empty cellblock.
FBI Investigation
A massive search followed, with officials sweeping the bay and nearby shorelines. Authorities ultimately claimed the escapees drowned in the cold, treacherous waters.
Lingering Questions
Despite the official conclusion, doubts lingered. In 2013, a letter surfaced, allegedly from John Anglin, claiming the men had survived for years under new identities. Experts examined the handwriting but could not confirm its authenticity.
Rumors of Survival
Stories persisted, including reports of photographs showing the Anglin brothers in Brazil. In 2003, the TV show MythBusters demonstrated that a homemade raft like theirs could indeed make it across the bay.
Modern Breakthroughs
In 2018, AI facial recognition analyzed a 1975 photo from Brazil and found strong resemblances to the Anglins. While it remains unclear whether they drowned or escaped successfully, their story continues to captivate as a symbol of ingenuity and the relentless pursuit of freedom.
