The person at the center of this case
Catherine Marie Kerkow
Cold Case · Open
54 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
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person
Lead #1Where has Catherine Marie Kerkow been since 1975 when she was arrested in France? How did she evade extradition?
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suspect
Lead #2What were her connections to the Black Panthers and how did this political affiliation influence the hijacking?
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location
Lead #3Given her known ties to Oregon, France, Switzerland, Algeria, Jordan, and Cuba, which country is most likely to be harboring her?
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 hijackers flew to Algeria where they received political asylum. Kerkow's accomplice was eventually extradited to the United States, but Kerkow disappeared and her current whereabouts remain unknown despite a federal arrest warrant issued in 1972.
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 #4Was the bomb threat on Flight 701 credible, or was it a hoax used to facilitate the escape?
📞
contact
Lead #5Who was her accomplice in the hijacking, and what information did they provide about Kerkow's plans after Algeria?
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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 Flight 701 from Los Angeles to Seattle, claiming to have a bomb and demanding $500,000. Released 97 passengers in San Francisco and flew to Algeria.
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1972-06-05
Federal Arrest Warrant Issued
Federal arrest warrant issued for Kerkow in U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York, charging her with air piracy.
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1975-01-25
Arrest in France
Kerkow and accomplice arrested in France on illegal entry charges using fake passports. Accomplice was eventually extradited to the United States.
Key Locations
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Case Information
Incident:June 3, 1972
Last Updated:September 9, 2026
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Case Information
Incident:June 3, 1972
Last Updated:September 9, 2026