15 Unsolved Mysteries From the 1970s That Still Vex Us

*grabs magnifying glass*

Published 6 months ago in Creepy

Though the 1970s are closing in on a half a century in the past, some of the decade's most fascinating mysteries remain to this day. Strange occurrences that range from alleged alien encounters to perplexing booms that mirrored a nuclear bomb, and even a few murders.

From the Zodiac Killer to a "Wow!"-worthy possible E.T. transmission, here are 15 unsolved mysteries from the 1970s that still vex us.

1
The Oakland County Child Killer
“The Oakland County Child Killer [was] an uncaught serial killer who killed 4 children in Michigan. After he abducted his final victim, the victim’s mother published a letter, begging her son to return for his favourite meal; KFC. His body was found soon after. His last meal had been fried chicken.”

2
In 1978, five teenage boys disappeared without a trace from Newark, New Jersey. While in 2008, Philander Hampton confessed to being involved in murdering the group of teens, known as the Clinton Avenue Five, their remains were never found.

3
D.B. Cooper
In November 1971, a man only identified as D.B. Cooper hijacked a Northwest Orient Flight from Portland to Seattle. After takeoff, Cooper demanded a $20,000 ransom, telling a flight attendant he had a bomb. The passengers were ultimately dropped off in Seattle, the plane — with Cooper still aboard — taking off en route to Mexico City. But before they could land, Cooper parachuted out of the aircraft with his money. He has never been seen again and remains unidentified.
4
Jimmy Hoffa’s Disappearance
In November 1971, a man only identified as D.B. Cooper hijacked a Northwest Orient Flight from Portland to Seattle. After takeoff, Cooper demanded a $20,000 ransom, telling a flight attendant he had a bomb. The passengers were ultimately dropped off in Seattle, the plane — with Cooper still aboard — taking off en route to Mexico City. But before they could land, Cooper parachuted out of the aircraft with his money. He has never been seen again and remains unidentified.

5
The “Wow!” Signal
“A strong radio signal from outer space was picked up by Ohio State University's radio telescope in 1977. The signal appeared to come from the constellation Sagittarius. The signal had no detectable message but remains the strongest candidate for an alien radio transmission ever detected”
6
The Circleville Letter Writer
“In 1976 someone dubbed 'The Circleville Letter Writer' began a campaign of harassment against the residents of Circleville, Ohio by mailing threatening letters containing personal information about the recipients.”
7
Travis Walton’s Alleged Alien Incident
In 1975, logger Travis Walton went missing for five days, During that time, he alleged he was abducted by aliens and examined before returning to Earth on the side of a highway.

8
The Hum
“There's an unexplained global effect called 'The Hum' only heard by about 2-4% of the world's population. The phenomenon was recorded as early as the 1970s, and its possible causes range from industrial environments, to neurological reasons, to tinnitus, to fish.”
9
The Murder of Jeannette DePalma
“September 19, 1972, 16 year old Jeannette DePalma would be found deceased in a wooded New Jersey area known as ‘The Devil’s Teeth.’ Years of witchcraft speculation and “lost evidence” have led police nowhere closer to solving her case.”
10
Frederick Valentich’s Disappearance
“Frederick Valentich was an Australian pilot who disappeared while on a 125-nautical-mile (232 km) training flight in a Cessna 182L light aircraft registered VH-DSJ, over Bass Strait on the evening of Saturday, 21 October 1978. Described as a "flying saucer enthusiast", twenty-year-old Valentich informed Melbourne air traffic control he was being accompanied by an aircraft about 1,000 feet (300 m) above him and that his engine had begun running roughly, before finally reporting, ‘It's not an aircraft.’”

11
The Zodiac Killer
“The Zodiac Killer was almost apprehended after murdering cab driver Paul Stine, but the police dispatcher told the officers to look out for a black male suspect, the mix-up in descriptions remains unexplained to this day.”
12
Val Johnson’s Alleged UFO Encounter
In 1979, Marshall County, Minnesota Deputy Sheriff Val Johnson alleged he had an encounter with a UFO, one that shattered the windows of his squad car and left him unconscious. Upon awaking 39 minutes later, he discovered not only to the damage to his car, but that his watch and the car’s clock had been stopped for several minutes.
13
The Murder of Marjorie Fithian
“In June of 1975, twenty three year old Marjorie Fithian was found dead on a desolate gravel road in Colorado. She had gunshot wound to her face, and her 18 month old son was sitting beside her, holding her hand.”

14
The Bell Island Boom
“TIL about the ‘Bell Island Boom.’ In 1978, a mysterious and extremely loud explosion occurred in Bell Island, Canada. The blast was audible from up to 100km away, and the energy released was so powerful that the Vela Satelites used by the US Govt to detect nuclear explosions, detected the event.”
15
The Murder of Donna Irene Lemon
“In July of 1973, after a jam packed day, Donna Irene Lemon missed her plans of horseback riding with a friend, and was later found along the banks of an Idaho river with her throat slashed and multiple stab wounds.”