Escaping Alcatraz: The Story Behind the Greatest Prison Break-Out

The Icy Waters

After long searches, no bodies were found in the bay. They did find their personal belongings, but that was it. The water was between 50 and 54 degrees when they escaped. Experts decalred that a human adult male could survive for 20 minutes in those cold waters before hypothermia would set in.

A Guessing Game

After 17 years of investigating, the FBI closed their case down on December 31st, 1979. They believe that the inmates most likely drowned in the pay. The US Marshals investigation remains open. “There’s an active warrant, and the Marshals Service doesn’t give up looking for people,” the Deputy US Marshal told NPR back in 2009.