# The Search for Jimmy Hoffa: Why & How? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 15, 2013, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-search-for-jimmy-hoffa-why-how/647306 "2013-01-15T18:12:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Fotheringay-Phipps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d9b06d/32.png) [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2013, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-search-for-jimmy-hoffa-why-how/647306/1 "2013-01-15T18:12:19Z")
First, the latest: [Mob Underboss Anthony Zerilli Says Hoffa Left In Shallow Grave](http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2013/01/14/mob-underboss-anthony-zerilli-says-hoffa-left-in-shallow-grave/). What interested me about this article was the remark that: > [@](#): > > The feds have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in the decades-long hunt for Hoffa, according to inside sources. A 2006 Milford farm dig alone cost $250,000, sources said, and before that, in 2003, a swimming pool and the surrounding area was excavated a few hours north of Detroit. Investigators subsequently tore apart a home where Hoffa’s blood reportedly stained the floorboards. Two questions: [ol] [li]Why is it of such overriding concern to find Hoffa’s body after all these years? It’s not like there is a realistic chance that he’s still alive, and anyone involved is probably dead or almost so by now anyway? Is there some fundamental principle in law enforcement that missing persons must be searched for forever?[/li][li]Who pays for this? Meaning, from whose budget? Suppose there arises the opportunity to spend $250K digging up a farm on a hot tip, is there some agency that has a slush fund alloted for contingencies of this sort that whips out $250K?[/li][/ol] ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2013, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-search-for-jimmy-hoffa-why-how/647306/2 "2013-01-15T18:20:03Z")
As to question # 1, Hoffa disappeared 37 years ago. If the killer was in his twenties at the time, he could well still be alive in his late 50s, early 60s. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2013, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-search-for-jimmy-hoffa-why-how/647306/3 "2013-01-15T18:44:13Z")
1. Finding Hoffa’s body may yield evidence as to who, if anyone, murdered him. 2. It comes out of the general budget of the FBI. They don’t budget money for individual investigations, but obviously large expenditures need to be approved by the brass. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2013, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-search-for-jimmy-hoffa-why-how/647306/4 "2013-01-15T19:48:12Z")
1. Whoever finds the body gets to write a book and gets paid for the movie adaptation. They also get to go on the talk show circuit, and they’re in line for a promotion. 2. You, me, and any other taxpayers. 3. They won’t find a body, this time, next time, any time. ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2013, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-search-for-jimmy-hoffa-why-how/647306/5 "2013-01-15T21:57:00Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > … > > 1. They won’t find a body, this time, next time, any time. \ Uh, yeah. Sure. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2013, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-search-for-jimmy-hoffa-why-how/647306/6 "2013-01-15T22:24:38Z")
Are property owners compensated (much?) for the damage done to their property from these kind of searches? Or are the owners just scrod? ---
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2013, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-search-for-jimmy-hoffa-why-how/647306/7 "2013-01-15T22:25:22Z")
I’m waiting for an authentic ‘death bed’ confession where someone who was there spills their guts and has a way to prove it really happened. Whether they ever find a body or not is less interesting to me. I want to know who did it and why… ---
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2013, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-search-for-jimmy-hoffa-why-how/647306/8 "2013-01-15T22:30:56Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > Are property owners compensated (much?) for the damage done to their property from these kind of searches? Or are the owners just scrod? I’m pretty sure (no cite) that the property owners are compensated for damages. At least so they can return it back to the state it was before the digging started. ---
**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2013, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-search-for-jimmy-hoffa-why-how/647306/9 "2013-01-16T03:53:26Z")
When the local news reported this the other day, they said that the land owner “wasn’t likely to consent to a police search.” They didn’t say why, but I’m pretty sure they meant to imply that the land owner is somebody with Mob connections. Apparently, the FBI plans to use aerial surveys to try to establish that something is buried there, and if successful will get a search warrent on that basis. ---
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2013, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-search-for-jimmy-hoffa-why-how/647306/10 "2013-01-16T06:53:45Z")
Let me guess: No body will be found. Oh, call me a stick-in-the-mud, but it won’t happen! I think that when people make statements saying where Hoffa’s body are, they should be charged the expenses if it doesn’t turn up. ---
**Author:** ![drastic\_quench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e36b37/32.png) [@drastic\_quench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drastic_quench)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2013, 7:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-search-for-jimmy-hoffa-why-how/647306/11 "2013-01-16T07:12:46Z")
He belongs in a museum! ---
**Author:** ![si\_blakely](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d9b06d/32.png) [@si\_blakely](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/si_blakely)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2013, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-search-for-jimmy-hoffa-why-how/647306/12 "2013-01-16T12:27:25Z")
> [@dolphinboy](#): > > I’m pretty sure (no cite) that the property owners are compensated for damages. At least so they can return it back to the state it was before the digging started. Well, it is the old joke, isn’t it … > [@](#): > > A young guy in prison gets a letter from his mum … > _Son, I know it is hard for you in prison. It is hard for me, I don’t know how I am going to get any vegetables in this year - the ground is so hard without you here to dig it for me._ > > The son send back his response… > _I’m really sorry, mum. I feel bad, and I do hope you find somebody to help you get your vegetable plot dug. But whatever you do, don’t let anyone dig in the big back field that is all overgrown - the bones of Jimmy Hoffa are scattered and buried there._ > > The next week, he gets the reply from his mum… > _Well, what a turn up for the books. The day after I got your letter, some very nice men from the FBI turned up in suits, and they dug up that whole back field, screened out all the stones and weeds, and raked the whole thing flat. Best damn vegetable patch in the whole county. They were mighty annoyed when they didn’t find anything but stones, though. Thanks son._ ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2013, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-search-for-jimmy-hoffa-why-how/647306/13 "2013-01-16T14:49:43Z")
Wow-the never-ending saga of “where is Jimmy Hoffa’s corpse”? I don’t put a lot of credence in any of these stories-the people who wanted Hoffa dead made sure that no trace of him will ever be found .Bear in mind, he was killed because his return to the Teamsters Union would likely threatened the Mob’s control (and the flow of pension fund money to Mob-controlled hotels and casinos). Hoffa could also have threatened to turn stool pigeon-he could have testified and put a lot of union officials behind bars. What happened to the body? It was probably stuffed in the trunk of a junked car, which was then crushed and shredded. Or, the body cold have been buried at some remote farm in the UP-in which case, it will never be found. Hoffa’s son has never said anything about his Dad’s disappearence, and never will (if he wants to stay healthy). ---
**Author:** ![Saraya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b3f665/32.png) [@Saraya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saraya)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2013, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-search-for-jimmy-hoffa-why-how/647306/14 "2013-01-16T15:19:48Z")
> [@dolphinboy](#): > > Whether they ever find a body or not is less interesting to me. I want to know who did it and why… Answer to that is pretty obvious … unions are a bane and he was at the helm of a major one. Oh wait, you meant the real reason? Probably the mob not wanting to relinquish control. ---
**Author:** ![solosam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@solosam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solosam)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2013, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-search-for-jimmy-hoffa-why-how/647306/15 "2013-01-16T15:28:52Z")
I think it’s a novelty more than anything else. The same with finding Amelia Earheart or DB Cooper… They captured media attention and nobody knows what happened to them, so people just naturally want to hear the conclusion to a mystery. ---
**Author:** ![Lochdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/edb3f5/32.png) [@Lochdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lochdale)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2013, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-search-for-jimmy-hoffa-why-how/647306/16 "2013-01-16T15:50:27Z")
> [@Saraya](#): > > Answer to that is pretty obvious … unions are a bane and he was at the helm of a major one. > Oh wait, you meant the real reason? Probably the mob not wanting to relinquish control. You nerfed your own effort at being sarcastic with your last sentence. Well done. Body has long been destroyed. It would be illogical to murder someone that high profile and then not destroy the evidence. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2013, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-search-for-jimmy-hoffa-why-how/647306/17 "2013-01-16T15:57:03Z")
> [@Lochdale](#): > > Body has long been destroyed. It would be illogical to murder someone that high profile and then not destroy the evidence. I think that’s it. This guy is indigent and right now the FBI probably has him up in a nice hotel with room service. Then he’ll ask for witness protection even though they won’t find a body. The FBI is Charlie Brown, Hoffa is the football, and any old mob boss can play Lucy for a while. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2013, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-search-for-jimmy-hoffa-why-how/647306/18 "2013-01-16T16:05:53Z")
> [@solosam](#): > > I think it’s a novelty more than anything else. The same with finding Amelia Earheart or DB Cooper… They captured media attention and nobody knows what happened to them, so people just naturally want to hear the conclusion to a mystery. I believe Earhart is considered found, after the TIGHAR findings last summer. Just like with the Titanic, obvious evidence in the records (many radio transmissions) was discarded. The evidence is also overwhelming that Cooper went into the Columbia River and drowned. Hoffa - we can guess what happened to him but I think it’s unlikely his body will ever be found. I am fascinated by the string of old mobsters who claim they know exactly what happened and where he is, only to lead to nothing. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2013, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-search-for-jimmy-hoffa-why-how/647306/19 "2013-01-16T16:40:47Z")
> [@Saraya](#): > > Answer to that is pretty obvious … unions are a bane and he was at the helm of a major one. **Moderator Note** **Saraya** , political jabs are not allowed in General Questions. No warning issued, but don’t do this again. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![yabob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yabob/32/2821_2.png) [@yabob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yabob)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2013, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-search-for-jimmy-hoffa-why-how/647306/20 "2013-01-16T16:49:19Z")
The more interesting one is Judge Crater. Hoffa and Earhart met fairly obvious fates, though bodies were never found. It’s a very, very long shot that Cooper didn’t die, as noted. It’s still an open question as to whether Crater chose to disappear or got murdered. If I had to bet, I’d bet on the latter, even discounting the most recent inconclusive “break” (the “do not open until my death” letters left by an elderly woman in a nursing home). [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-search-for-jimmy-hoffa-why-how/647306.md?page=2)