Conspiracy Theories BEST OF 2025: Three Men Escaped Alcatraz, Evaded the FBI, and Lived Secret Lives
Dec 10, 2025
Delve into the thrilling escape from Alcatraz, deemed inescapable due to its notorious security. Discover the ingenious use of paper-mâché heads and the meticulous planning involving chiseling vents and crafting a raft. Hear about Alan West's conflicting accounts and the physical evidence found in the bay post-escape. Explore the intriguing claims of a buried FBI report and family narratives suggesting the trio managed to flee to Mexico and Brazil. The pursuit continues, with ongoing investigations into possible sightings and age-progressed photos.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Reputation Drove The Official Narrative
- Alcatraz's reputation relied on extreme security measures and the danger of the bay, which made public belief in inescapability politically and financially important.
- If inmates proved they survived escapes, prison authorities and the FBI risked major embarrassment and operational consequences.
Officer Reports A Boat The FBI 'Buried'
- Former officer Robert Checky reported seeing a white boat near the bay the night of the escape and later said FBI agents told him to 'make this go away.'
- Checky's account supports claims that accomplices picked up the escapees by boat, contradicting the official drowning conclusion.
Simulations Make Survival Plausible
- Independent recreations and simulations (Mythbusters, Delft University) show a midnight launch could land escapees at the Marin Headlands under the Golden Gate Bridge.
- These models make survival plausible and align with some physical evidence found after the escape.
