“The Outlaw Who Vanished for 40 Years” — The George Wright Story Reignites Global Interest!
“The Outlaw Who Vanished for 40 Years” — The George Wright Story Reignites Global Interest!
Reported by Marian Opeyemi Fasesan | Sele Media Africa
The incredible tale of George Edward Wright — an American fugitive who escaped prison, hijacked a plane, and evaded capture for four decades — has resurfaced as one of the most fascinating criminal sagas of the 20th century.
What Happened
- In 1962, Wright was convicted of murder after a botched gas station robbery in New Jersey. He was sentenced to 15–30 years.
- He escaped in 1970, joined the Black Liberation Army, and in 1972 helped hijack a Delta Airlines flight, disguised as a priest.
- Along with accomplices, he demanded and received $1 million in ransom — the highest paid at the time — before flying the plane to Algeria.
- Algerian authorities seized the ransom money and briefly detained the group, but released them without extradition. Wright then disappeared. [1]
His Arrest — 39 Years Later
- In 2011, Wright was finally discovered in Portugal, living under the alias “José Luis Jorge dos Santos.”
- He had married a Portuguese woman, raised children, and lived quietly.
- Though the FBI requested extradition, Portugal denied it on grounds that Wright had become a Portuguese citizen. [2]
Why It Matters
Wright’s story remains a symbol of Cold War-era radicalism, racial justice struggles, and international legal complexities.
- His 40-year run — without being caught — highlights both the limitations of law enforcement and the gray zones of extradition law.
- In today’s digital surveillance age, Wright’s ability to vanish is both legendary and nearly impossible to replicate.
What to Watch
- Renewed interest in turning his life into a documentary or biopic.
- Ongoing legal debates about fugitives who rebuild their lives under new identities.
- Public discourse on whether Wright is a villain, a revolutionary, or both.
Citations:
- CNN – U.S. fugitive George Wright captured in Portugal after 41 years on the run
- The Guardian – George Wright: The hijacker who got away with it
- New York Times – Fugitive Hijacker Lived Quiet Life in Portugal Before Arrest
- BBC News – US prison escapee and hijacker George Wright arrested in Portugal
About The Author
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