June 1962 Alcatraz escape – three inmates vanish
On the night of 11 June 1962, Frank Morris and brothers John and Clarence Anglin escaped Alcatraz by widening ventilation ducts, using dummy heads, and launching a homemade raft; a fourth inmate, Allen West, was left behind. Despite extensive searches, no bodies were recovered and their fate remains uncertain.
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Our thoughts are with the families of the missing inmates and all those affected by this enduring mystery.
Timeline
- 24 October 1960 — John Anglin arrived at Alcatraz (inmate AZ1476).
- 16 January 1961 — Clarence Anglin arrived at Alcatraz (inmate AZ1485).
- 30 January 1960 — Morris moved into cell 138 on outside B Block.
- 11 June 1962 — Morris and the Anglin brothers escaped Alcatraz via ventilation ducts and a homemade raft; Allen West remained behind.
- 12 June 1962 — Escape discovered at 7 a.m. after dummy heads were found.
- 14 June 1962 — Coast Guard cutter recovered a paddle near Angel Island and a wallet belonging to the Anglins.
- 21 June 1962 — A life vest washed up on Cronkite Beach, three miles from the Golden Gate Bridge.
- 22 June 1962 — Another life vest was found 50 yards off Alcatraz Island.
- 17 July 1962 — Norwegian ship Norefjell sighted a body 15 nautical miles from the Golden Gate Bridge; officials doubted it was an escapee.
- 31 December 1979 — FBI closed its file, concluding the three most likely drowned, though no bodies were found.
Frequently asked questions
How did Morris and the Anglin brothers manage to leave Alcatraz?
They spent six months widening ventilation ducts, crafted papier‑mâché dummy heads to hide their absence, and built a rubber raft with life preservers, paddles and a bellows to launch from the island.
Did Allen West escape with the others?
No. West was unable to widen his vent opening in time and was left behind on the island.
What physical evidence was recovered after the escape?
A paddle, a wallet with the Anglins' personal details, and several life vests were found in the bay in the days following the escape, but no raft or bodies were ever recovered.
Has the FBI definitively determined the fate of the escapees?
In 1979 the FBI concluded, based on circumstantial evidence, that the three most likely drowned, but no conclusive proof was found and the case remains open with the U.S. Marshals Service.
Are there any credible sightings of the fugitives since 1962?
Numerous alleged sightings and hoaxes have been reported—from Brazil to Florida—but none have been substantiated, and the Marshals Service continues to receive unverified leads.
Who is believed to have masterminded the escape?
Accounts differ: some attribute the plan to Frank Morris, others to Allen West or to John Anglin; the excerpt notes conflicting testimonies and no consensus.
Is the investigation still active?
Yes. The U.S. Marshals Service keeps the case open, with an active warrant that will expire between September 2026 and May 2031.
Primary sources and references
The cases · Investigation glossary · On this day in history · The daily puzzle · Which detective are you? · Historical word search maker