A recently released photo suggests two convict brothers previously thought to have drowned escaping Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary in 1962, might have actually survived and successfully fled to Brazil.
Infamous brothers John and Clarence Anglin — who inspired characters of the same names in the epic 1979 Clint Eastwood movie “Escape from Alcatraz”– were reported to have drowned, according to the FBI, after their 1962 escape. Their bodies, however, were never discovered, and all these years the Anglin family contended this is because the duo did in fact successfully escape.
Now there could be possible proof backing up the family’s claims.
A circa 1975 photo was a focal point of the History Chanel’s Monday program Alcatraz: A Search For The Truth, which investigated the claims the convicted bank robbers survived the escape and might still be alive. The photo was released by Anglin’s nephews, David and Ken Widner, and shows two men standing next to a road in Brazil.
Did three men actually survive the escape from #Alcatraz? http://t.co/lPa9gdueku pic.twitter.com/ZHZgXlDI1a
— Michael O’Sullivan (@michaeldonal) October 13, 2015
The Widners gave the picture to retired U.S. Marshals investigator Art Roderick, according to the New York Daily News, who worked on the Alcatraz case for 20 years.
“This is absolutely the best actionable lead we’ve had,” Roderick told the New York Post.
In addition to the picture, the family also produced multiple Christmas cards during the History Channel’s special, which were allegedly signed by the Anglin brothers and sent to their mother years after breaking out of prison. Roderick and other forensic specialists weren’t able to date the Christmas cards, but confirmed the handwriting matched that of the brothers’s.
“When you work these types of cases, there’s a feeling you get when stuff starts to fall into place,” Roderick told the Post. “I’m getting this feeling now.”
Return to #Alcatraz tonght with “Alcatraz: Search For The Truth” at 9e/p. pic.twitter.com/Xn1cblwDpy
— HISTORY Canada (@HistoryTVCanada) October 12, 2015
If the brothers did survive, and are still alive, they would be in their mid-80s.
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