The person at the center of this case
Catherine Marie Kerkow
Cold Case · Open
53 years waiting · since 1972
CATHERINE MARIE KERKOW
Justice for Catherine Marie Kerkow — the trail went cold in 1972, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
🎯
suspect
Lead #1Why did Kerkow's accomplice get extradited while Kerkow evaded capture? What protection or assistance allowed her to remain at large?
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location
Lead #2Kerkow has known ties to Oregon, France, Switzerland, Algeria, Jordan, and Cuba—which of these countries might she have fled to after 1975?
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clue
Lead #3She is fluent in English and French and was using fake passports in 1975—what identity or aliases might she have adopted?
On June 3, 1972, Catherine Marie Kerkow and an accomplice hijacked Western Airlines Flight 701 from Los Angeles to Seattle, claiming to have a bomb and demanding $500,000. After releasing 97 passengers in San Francisco, the two fled to Algeria where they received political asylum. Kerkow's accomplice was eventually extradited to face charges, but Kerkow disappeared—her current whereabouts remain unknown despite a federal arrest warrant issued over 50 years ago.
Case
#677
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York
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More leads to consider
Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
🔍
evidence
Lead #4The bomb threat in the attache case was never confirmed as real—was this a genuine explosive device or a bluff?
Have information about any of these leads?
Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
Source Narrative
Air Piracy Caution: Catherine Marie Kerkow is wanted for her alleged involvement in the hijacking of Western Airlines Flight 701 which was to fly from Los Angeles, California, to Seattle, Washington, on June 3, 1972. A member of the Black Panthers, Kerkow and an accomplice claimed they had a bomb in an attache case and demanded $500,000.
After allowing the 97 passengers to get off the plane in San Francisco, California, Kerkow and her accomplice flew to Algeria where they were granted political asylum. On January 25, 1975, the two hijackers, using fake passports, were arrested on illegal entry charges in France.
Kerkow's accomplice was eventually extradited to the United States, but Kerkow's whereabouts remain unknown. A federal arrest warrant was issued for Kerkow in the United States District Court, Eastern District of New York, on June 5, 1972, after she was charged with air piracy.
Remarks: Kerkow is known to speak English and French. She may have ties to Oregon, France, Switzerland, Algeria, Jordan, and Cuba.
Timeline of Events
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1972-06-03
Western Airlines Flight 701 Hijacking
Catherine Marie Kerkow and accomplice hijacked Western Airlines Flight 701 from Los Angeles to Seattle, claiming to have a bomb in an attache case and demanding $500,000.
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1972-06-03
Passengers Released in San Francisco
All 97 passengers were allowed to exit the aircraft in San Francisco, California.
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1972-06-05
Federal Arrest Warrant Issued
A federal arrest warrant was issued for Kerkow in the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York, on charges of air piracy.
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1975-01-25
Arrest in France
Kerkow and her accomplice were arrested in France on illegal entry charges using fake passports.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:June 3, 1972
Last Updated:April 29, 2026
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Case Information
Incident:June 3, 1972
Last Updated:April 29, 2026