The person at the center of this case
Gas station owner (1962); Delta Airlines passengers and crew (1972)
Cold Case · Open - Fugitive at Large
63 years waiting · since 1962
GEORGE EDWARD WRIGHT
Justice for Gas station owner (1962); Delta Airlines passengers and crew (1972) — the trail went cold in 1962, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
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suspect
Lead #1Why was Wright released from Portuguese custody in October 2011 despite being a fugitive for over 40 years?
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location
Lead #2What is Wright's current location and identity in Portugal, and why has he not been extradited?
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person
Lead #3Who was Wright's accomplice in the 1962 gas station murder, and what information might they provide?
George Edward Wright murdered a gas station owner during a 1962 robbery in Wall, New Jersey, and was sentenced to 15-30 years in prison. He escaped in 1970 and later hijacked a Delta Airlines flight in 1972 while posing as a cleric, using a gun concealed in a Bible. Wright was arrested in Portugal in 2011 but released; he remains at large and is believed to be living in Portugal.
Case
#683
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); New Jersey State Police; U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey
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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 #4How did Wright obtain the handguns used in the 1972 hijacking, and who assisted him in planning the operation?
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clue
Lead #5Are there any sightings or credible leads on Wright's whereabouts in Portugal since his 2011 release?
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 Confinement - Escape (Murder); Air Piracy (Seizing by Force an Aircraft in Air Commerce); Aiding and Abetting Caution: George Edward Wright is wanted for his involvement in a series of crimes dating back to 1962. On November 23, 1962, Wright and an accomplice, who was arrested, shot and killed the owner of a gas station in Wall, New Jersey, during the commission of a robbery at the business.
On December 13, 1962, Wright was indicted for the murder. He entered a plea of "no defense", and was sentenced to prison for a period of 15 to 30 years.
Then, on August 22, 1970, Wright escaped from the New Jersey State Prison in Leesburg, New Jersey. The State of New Jersey issued an arrest warrant for Wright after he was charged with escape and, on August 26, 1970, a federal arrest warrant was issued for Wright in the United States District Court, District of New Jersey, Trenton, New Jersey, after he was charged with unlawful flight to avoid confinement.
On July 31, 1972, Wright, and others who were arrested, hijacked a Delta Airlines jet en route from Detroit, Michigan, to Miami, Florida. The hijackers used handguns and made threats against the passengers on the plane.
At the time, Wright used the name Reverend Larry Burgess, wore the clothing of a cleric, and carried a Bible. He used a gun concealed in the Bible to confront the aircraft's pilot and crew.
After a ransom was delivered to the hijackers, the passengers were released in Miami. The hijackers and the plane's crew then flew to Boston, Massachusetts, refueled, picked up an international navigator, and flew to Algiers.
The plane and ransom were then returned to the United States Government, while the hijackers remained free. On September 26, 2011, after more than 40 years as a fugitive, Wright was arrested in Portugal.
He was released from custody in October of 2011, and remains in Portugal, where he continues to live. Wright is the sole hijacker to remain at large.
Remarks: Wright is known to be living in Portugal.
Timeline of Events
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1962-11-23
Gas Station Murder
Wright and accomplice shot and killed gas station owner during robbery in Wall, New Jersey
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1962-12-13
Indictment
Wright indicted for murder; entered plea of no defense and sentenced to 15-30 years
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1970-08-22
Prison Escape
Wright escaped from New Jersey State Prison in Leesburg
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1970-08-26
Federal Warrant
Federal arrest warrant issued for unlawful flight to avoid confinement
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1972-07-31
Airline Hijacking
Wright hijacked Delta Airlines flight from Detroit to Miami using alias Reverend Larry Burgess, gun concealed in Bible; ransom delivered, plane returned to U.S., hijackers escaped to Algiers
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:November 23, 1962
Last Updated:October 29, 2026
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Case Information
Incident:November 23, 1962
Last Updated:October 29, 2026