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Heir Vanishes in Tribal New Guinea
25 Nov
Summary
- Michael Rockefeller disappeared during an artifact expedition in remote New Guinea.
- His boat capsized, leading him to swim for shore where he vanished.
- Drowning is suspected, but theories of being killed by locals persist.

Over six decades ago, Michael Rockefeller, a scion of the prominent Rockefeller family, disappeared under mysterious circumstances in the remote interior of New Guinea. The 23-year-old Harvard graduate was on an expedition to collect artifacts for his father's museum, immersing himself in the culture of the indigenous Asmat people.
Rockefeller's fateful journey took a grim turn in November 1961 when his boat encountered severe weather and capsized. After waiting for assistance, he chose to swim towards shore, a decision from which he never returned. Despite extensive searches by his family and Dutch authorities, no trace of him was ever found.
While his family officially believes he drowned, whispers and theories have persisted for years. Some accounts suggest he may have been killed by members of the Asmat tribe, possibly in retaliation for a previous Dutch raid. However, conclusive evidence remains elusive, leaving his ultimate fate unknown.




