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 #1Where has Charles Lee Hill been since fleeing to Havana, Cuba in 1971? Did he remain in Cuba or travel elsewhere?
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person
Lead #2Who were the two accomplices believed to be deceased? What are the details of their deaths and how were they confirmed?
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evidence
Lead #3What evidence connected Hill to the police officer shooting, and were there any witnesses to the November 8 traffic stop?
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, hijacked a TWA flight from Albuquerque International Airport, and diverted it to Tampa before flying to Havana, Cuba. Hill remains a fugitive wanted for murder, air piracy, and kidnapping—his whereabouts unknown for 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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vehicle
Lead #4What vehicle was Hill driving during the traffic stop on November 8, 1971, and was it recovered?
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contact
Lead #5Has the tow truck driver who was kidnapped provided any additional details about Hill's appearance, demeanor, or statements during the incident?
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
Tow Truck Driver Kidnapping and Hijacking
Hill and two accomplices kidnapped a tow truck driver at gunpoint and forced him to drive them to Albuquerque International Airport. The three men then hijacked a TWA flight.
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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, and an arrest warrant was issued.
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1971-11-26
Federal Arrest Warrant
A federal arrest warrant was issued in the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.
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1971-12-14
Federal Charges
Hill was charged 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:May 13, 2026
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Case Information
Incident:November 8, 1971
Last Updated:May 13, 2026