The person at the center of this case
Gas station owner (unnamed) and Delta Airlines passengers and crew
Cold Case · Open - Wright remains at large in Portugal
63 years waiting · since 1962
GEORGE EDWARD WRIGHT
Justice for Gas station owner (unnamed) and Delta Airlines passengers and crew — 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 #1How did Wright evade capture for over 40 years across multiple countries and continents?
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evidence
Lead #2What was the identity of Wright's accomplice in the 1962 gas station murder, and was he ever apprehended?
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location
Lead #3Why did Wright choose to remain in Portugal after his 2011 arrest and release, and does he maintain contact with any associates?
On November 23, 1962, George Edward Wright and an accomplice robbed and fatally shot a gas station owner in Wall, New Jersey. Wright was convicted and sentenced to 15-30 years in prison, but escaped on August 22, 1970, from New Jersey State Prison. In 1972, he hijacked a Delta Airlines flight from Detroit to Miami using a gun concealed in a Bible, ultimately fleeing to Algeria and later Portugal, where he has lived since his 2011 arrest and release.
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.
💡
clue
Lead #4Were there other hijackers involved in the 1972 Delta flight incident, and have they been identified or apprehended?
⏰
timeline
Lead #5What activities and movements did Wright undertake between his 1970 prison escape and the 1972 hijacking?
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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 Robbery and Murder
Wright and accomplice robbed and shot the owner of a gas station in Wall, New Jersey
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1962-12-13
Indictment
Wright was indicted for murder; pleaded 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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1972-07-31
Delta Airlines Hijacking
Wright, using alias Reverend Larry Burgess, hijacked Delta flight from Detroit to Miami with gun concealed in Bible; ransom delivered; plane and crew flew to Algiers
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2011-09-26
Arrest in Portugal
Wright arrested in Portugal after 40+ years as fugitive; released in October 2011
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:November 23, 1962
Last Updated:June 14, 2026
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Case Information
Incident:November 23, 1962
Last Updated:June 14, 2026