The person at the center of this case
New Mexico State Police Officer (name not specified in available records)
Homicide · Open - Fugitive at Large
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
🎯
suspect
Lead #1Where has Charles Lee Hill been located since fleeing to Cuba in 1971? Has he remained in Cuba or relocated to another country?
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person
Lead #2Who were the two accomplices involved in the kidnapping and hijacking? Were they confirmed deceased and what were the circumstances?
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witness
Lead #3What information did the kidnapped tow truck driver provide about Hill's appearance, behavior, and statements during the incident?
On November 8, 1971, Charles Lee Hill allegedly shot and killed a New Mexico State Police officer during a traffic stop near Albuquerque. Three weeks later, Hill and two accomplices kidnapped a tow truck driver and hijacked a TWA flight from Albuquerque International Airport, eventually escaping to Havana, Cuba. Hill remains a fugitive wanted for murder, air piracy, and kidnapping, with his current whereabouts unknown.
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.
🔍
evidence
Lead #4What physical evidence or forensic details connected Hill to the police officer's death in the November 8 shooting?
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contact
Lead #5Have there been any credible sightings or communications from Hill since his escape to Havana in 1971?
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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1971-11-27
Kidnapping and Hijacking
Hill and two accomplices kidnapped a tow truck driver at gunpoint and forced him to drive to Albuquerque International Airport, where they hijacked a TWA flight.
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1971-11-25
Murder Charge Filed
Hill was charged with murder by the Magistrate Court of Bernalillo District, State of New Mexico.
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1971-12-14
Federal Charges
Hill was charged in United States District Court with six counts of possession of unregistered firearms, one count of air piracy, and one count of kidnapping.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:November 8, 1971
Last Updated:October 30, 2026
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Case Information
Incident:November 8, 1971
Last Updated:October 30, 2026