When a man from one of the world’s most influential families ventured into the uncharted territory of an unknown tribe, disaster was inevitable.
However, his disappearance has remained a mystery for 61 years, with even his final words shrouded in controversy and debate.
Michael Rockefeller, son of former U.S. Vice President Nelson Rockefeller, was an enthusiastic world explorer who developed an intense fascination with tribal artwork. This obsession drove him to take the bold step of reaching out to a tribe known for their cannibalistic practices.
In November 1961, the 23-year-old embarked on his second expedition to Dutch New Guinea (now West Papua), an Indonesian province on the island of New Guinea. Having been warmly received during his first visit, he expected another welcoming reception from the tribe.
Accompanied by anthropologist René Wassing, Rockefeller was on a long journey to the southwestern part of the country, specifically the Asmat region.
However, their 40-foot canoe capsized about three miles from the shore, leaving the pair stranded.
Wassing was eventually rescued while drifting in the Arafura Sea, but Rockefeller was never seen again.
Although his official cause of death was ruled as drowning, many believe that Rockefeller made it to shore only to be cannibalized by the Asmat tribe.
However, when images of the tribe surfaced years later, they revealed a very different story.
Around a decade after his mysterious disappearance, National Geographic sent a film crew to Asmat, where they captured footage of dozens of tribesmen rowing boats in the nude.
Around a decade after his mysterious disappearance, National Geographic sent a film crew to Asmat, where they captured footage of dozens of tribesmen rowing boats in the nude.
Among all these bodies, there was one naked Caucasian man who bore a striking resemblance to Rockefeller.
Naturally, many immediately believed this was the missing American, but others remained a bit skeptical.
