The person at the center of this case
New Mexico State Police Officer (name not specified in available records)
Homicide · Open
54 years waiting · since 1971
CHARLES LEE HILL
Justice for New Mexico State Police Officer (name not specified in available records) — the trail went cold in 1971, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
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suspect
Lead #1What is Charles Lee Hill's current location and status after fleeing to Cuba in 1971? Has he remained in Cuba or fled elsewhere?
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evidence
Lead #2What evidence connected Hill to the shooting death of the New Mexico State Police officer during the traffic stop?
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person
Lead #3Who were the two accomplices involved in the kidnapping and air piracy? Were they actually deceased as believed, or did they also escape?
On November 8, 1971, Charles Lee Hill allegedly shot and killed a New Mexico State Police officer during a traffic stop west of Albuquerque. Three weeks later, Hill and two accomplices hijacked a TWA flight from Albuquerque International Airport after kidnapping a tow truck driver, ultimately escaping to Cuba. Hill remains a fugitive wanted for murder, air piracy, and kidnapping—his current whereabouts and status remain unknown after over 50 years.
Case
#914
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); United States District Court for the District of New Mexico
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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.
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witness
Lead #4What information did the kidnapped tow truck driver provide about Hill's appearance, behavior, and statements during the incident?
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timeline
Lead #5Why was there a three-week gap between the officer's shooting on November 8 and the airport hijacking on November 27? What was Hill doing during this period?
Have information about any of these leads?
Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
Source Narrative
Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution - Murder; Air Piracy; Kidnapping Caution: Charles Lee Hill is wanted for his alleged involvement in a series of violent crimes that occurred in November of 1971. On November 8, 1971, Hill was allegedly involved in the shooting death of a New Mexico State Police officer during a traffic stop approximately 15 miles west of Albuquerque, New Mexico.
On November 27, 1971, Hill and two accomplices (believed to be deceased), allegedly also kidnapped a tow truck driver at gunpoint and forced him to drive the trio to the Albuquerque International Airport. The three men are alleged to have then hijacked a Trans World Airlines (TWA) flight, re-routing the plane to Tampa, Florida.
After exchanging the hostages for fuel, Hill and his accomplices flew to Havana, Cuba. On November 25, 1971, Hill was charged with murder by the Magistrate Court of Bernalillo District, State of New Mexico, and an arrest warrant was issued the same day for his arrest.
On November 26, 1971, a federal arrest warrant was issued for Hill in the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, and he was charged with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. Additionally, on December 14, 1971, Hill was charged in the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, with six counts of possession of unregistered firearms, one count of air piracy, and one count of kidnapping.
Timeline of Events
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1971-11-08
Police Officer Shooting
Charles Lee Hill allegedly shot and killed a New Mexico State Police officer during a traffic stop approximately 15 miles west of Albuquerque, New Mexico.
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1971-11-25
State Murder Charge
Hill was charged with murder by the Magistrate Court of Bernalillo District, State of New Mexico; arrest warrant issued.
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1971-11-26
Federal Warrant Issued
Federal arrest warrant issued in the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.
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1971-11-27
Kidnapping and Air Piracy
Hill and two accomplices allegedly kidnapped a tow truck driver at gunpoint, forced him to drive to Albuquerque International Airport, then hijacked a TWA flight. After exchanging hostages for fuel, they flew to Havana, Cuba.
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1971-12-14
Additional Federal Charges
Hill charged with six counts of possession of unregistered firearms, one count of air piracy, and one count of kidnapping in United States District Court for the District of New Mexico.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:November 8, 1971
Last Updated:June 14, 2026
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Case Information
Incident:November 8, 1971
Last Updated:June 14, 2026