Michael Rockefeller went missing in Dutch New Guinea (now Indonesia) in 1961. He was the son of a wealthy American family. It was quickly determined that he had drowned, but his body was never located. But there's evidence to imply that Rockefeller might have had a considerably worse end.
As Michael Rockefeller stood staring at their capsized boat, René Wassing begged him again not to abandon it. Two of their local guides had swum to shore to get aid, but the two young explorers had been stranded on their overturned double canoe for more than 24 hours, so they had no idea what had happened.
Meanwhile, 23-year-old Michael Rockefeller had had enough of waiting by the time it was 8 a.m. on Sunday, November 19, 1961.
"I am confident in my abilities," Rockefeller told Wassing.
As far as he could tell, the coast was roughly 10 kilometers away. He thought he could swim the distance because he was a great swimmer. Two empty gasoline cans were fastened to Rockefeller's waist for buoyancy, which helped him swim. These were the only things he wore, along with big spectacles and white briefs.
As Rockefeller set sail and embarked on his voyage through the balmy seas, the boat swayed slightly. After what seemed like an eternity, Wassing finally caught a glimpse of his traveling partner. Wassing was recovered the following day by a search party. But Rockefeller vanished without a trace.
The Voyage of Rockefeller to New Guinea
The oil billionaire and late 19th-century world's wealthiest man, John D. Rockefeller, had a great-grandson named Michael Rockefeller. Michael Rockefeller grew up in opulence in a townhouse in Manhattan after being born in 1938. His father, Nelson Rockefeller, became governor of New York when Michael was a teenager, and the family enjoyed a life of wealth.
Michael had a deep interest in art and cultural history, in contrast to many of his relatives who went into politics or business.
Located in the western Pacific, Michael visited Dutch New Guinea in 1960 to research the islanders' artistic practices. Particularly fascinating to him were the Asmat, a people who lived in the heart of the jungle and were known for their intricate ceremonies and skilled craftsmanship.
"Being here is equally fascinating and exhausting," Michael wrote in his journal. "Asmat is like a gigantic jigsaw puzzle, with their different rituals and creative approaches serving as the individual pieces."
Southwestern New Guinea was home to the Asmat people. Asmat warriors were notoriously violent, especially when it came to decapitating their foes. They would then ritually cannibalize their victims, preserving the heads as trophies.
Despite the Asmat's aggressive image, Rockefeller was captivated by their creative culture, especially their bisj poles, which are ceremonial totems that are exquisitely carved. His fascination in bisj poles led him to return to New Guinea in the fall of 1961 after returning to the United States. His goal was to acquire a collection of these ancient artifacts.
According to him, "this is an opportunity to do something adventurous in an era where the concept of borders is disappearing" as he expressed his wish to bring a substantial collection to New York.
The Deadly Choice
With the 34-year-old Dutch anthropologist René Wassing by his side, Rockefeller made his way back to Dutch New Guinea in September 1961. They spent two months exploring rivers and coasts on an improvised catamaran, which consisted of two canoes joined by an outboard engine. Rockefeller amassed an unusual collection that included human skulls, painted weaponry, and many bisj poles.
In open sea, the catamaran capsized on Saturday, November 18. Wassing remained on the capsized ship while Rockefeller swam to land the next morning. After Rockefeller went missing, a massive search was initiated.
His father, Nelson Rockefeller, spoke with unwavering determination, promising to do all it takes to locate his son.
A Doomsayer's Reported Demise
In exchange for Michael's whereabouts, the Rockefeller family has offered a reward of $250,000. As this was happening, the area was scoured by search planes, helicopters, ships, and motorboats. Despite their best efforts, Michael's body was never located, and his official death by drowning was announced in 1964.
Nonetheless, doubts persisted. Why had no one come to the surface if Michael had been able to stay afloat thanks to the fuel cans fastened to his belt? Sharks or saltwater crocodiles might have been his possible predators, according to officials.
Another, more sinister theory stuck: the Asmat had assassinated Rockefeller after he reached shore.
Over the course of several years, the Rockefeller family sought clarification. They supposedly sent a private investigator to New Guinea in 1979 and got three human skulls back. A History Channel broadcast stated that forensic examinations revealed the possibility that one of the skulls belonged to Michael Rockefeller. In exchange for the investigator's services, the family allegedly paid him $250,000.
Verified Testimonials
Soon after, four Asmat men paid a visit to Dutch missionary Hubertus von Peij, where they related a terrifying tale. Near the spot where Rockefeller had swum ashore, two of the men were Asmat from the town of Otsjanep.
As fifty Otsjanep warriors sat in their canoes by the river mouth on the morning of November 19, 1961, they saw a white man waving to them from the water.
Your constant references to desiring the head of a tuan [white guy] are quite offensive to the people of Otsjanep. "Here's your chance," supposedly one of the fighters exclaimed.
Rockefeller was hauled into the canoe by the men. The man yelled in pain as the party paddled back to shore after one of the fighters speared him. When they reached land, the assailants killed him with a single blow, then dismembered him and cooked his flesh over an open fire, following the Asmat tradition for their enemies.
"Wow, what did he wear?" Father Peij inquired of the four guests.
The guys wore peculiar garb, including pocketless, short white underwear.
"Where on earth is he?" Because Peij knew the Asmat treasured skulls as artifacts, he asked.
"You can find it hanging in Fin's house. The guys agreed that it was little, comparing it to the size of a child's skull.
Peij came to the conclusion that Rockefeller had been murdered by the Asmat. The murder, he reasoned, must have been an act of vengeance. During a military intervention to calm tribal tensions three years ago, the Dutch colonial authorities executed numerous Otsjanep warriors. The Asmat, under the leadership of Fin, were itching for revenge, and they believed that any white man would do.
A fellow missionary named Cornelius van Kessel was informed of the men's story by Peij. Van Kessel heard the same story from several residents the next day. The Dutch church authorities received his letter dated December 15, 1961:
"THE OTSJANEP DID, IN FACT, KILL AND EAT MICHAEL ROCKEFELLER."
The fate of Michael Rockefeller remains a mystery, even though the Rockefeller family has never officially acknowledged or refuted these claims. His abduction is still a fascinating mystery from the twentieth century.