# 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:** 2
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2013, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-search-for-jimmy-hoffa-why-how/647306/21 "2013-01-16T17:14:51Z")
> [@yabob](#): > > It’s still an open question as to whether Crater chose to disappear or got murdered. Joseph Crater may have ended up murdered but I think it’s pretty conclusive he was complicit in his disappearance. ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2013, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-search-for-jimmy-hoffa-why-how/647306/22 "2013-01-21T20:56:36Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Joseph Crater may have ended up murdered but I think it’s pretty conclusive he was complicit in his disappearance. Do you have any more info? Crater was a fairly corrupt lower level NYC judge-what did he want to disappear? Was he in on some serious corruption? THe remains found under the Coney Island pier were never identified (as far as I know)-so other than the old letter, what proof do we have of Crater’s demise? ---
**Author:** ![FrankJBN](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f0a364/32.png) [@FrankJBN](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FrankJBN)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2013, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-search-for-jimmy-hoffa-why-how/647306/23 "2013-01-23T18:47:23Z")
re the homeowner thought to be unlikely to give condsent to search implying (or simply reader inferring) mob ties: Police show up and say we’d like to dig up your property looking for a body of a person who disappeared 4 decades ago; we’ll probably do 125,000 worth of damge but we’ll m,ake it right. Are you going to say “Yeah sure.”? 'Crater was a fairly corrupt lower level NYC judge-what did he want to disappear? ’ Being “corrupt” exposes one to a great many dangers including being caught and imprisioned or eliminated. A couple reasons why a corrupt judge might want to disappear. ---
**Author:** ![CurtC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce73a5/32.png) [@CurtC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CurtC)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2013, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-search-for-jimmy-hoffa-why-how/647306/24 "2013-01-23T19:17:46Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > Or are the owners just scrod? First time I’ve ever heard that question asked in the pluperfect subjunctive! > [@NitroPress](#): > > I believe Earhart is considered found, after the TIGHAR findings last summer. Which findings would those be? As far as I’m aware, TIGHAR is an unscientific, almost religious organization whose cause is to advocate that Earhart must have landed on Nikumaroro. ---
**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 23, 2013, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-search-for-jimmy-hoffa-why-how/647306/25 "2013-01-23T20:00:10Z")
> [@CurtC](#): > > Which findings would those be? As far as I’m aware, TIGHAR is an unscientific, almost religious organization whose cause is to advocate that Earhart must have landed on Nikumaroro. **shrug** If you say so. The current case seems strong and if it’s correct, the remnants of Earhart’s Electra should be found in the next few years. ---
**Author:** ![CurtC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce73a5/32.png) [@CurtC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CurtC)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2013, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-search-for-jimmy-hoffa-why-how/647306/26 "2013-01-23T20:55:27Z")
> [@NitroPress](#): > > **shrug** If you say so. The current case seems strong and if it’s correct, the remnants of Earhart’s Electra should be found in the next few years. I was just telling you my opinion of Tighar’s methods, but you mentioned “findings last summer,” and I was curious what those were. ---
**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 24, 2013, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-search-for-jimmy-hoffa-why-how/647306/27 "2013-01-24T18:30:37Z")
> [@FrankJBN](#): > > re the homeowner thought to be unlikely to give condsent to search implying (or simply reader inferring) mob ties: Police show up and say we’d like to dig up your property looking for a body of a person who disappeared 4 decades ago; we’ll probably do 125,000 worth of damge but we’ll m,ake it right. Are you going to say “Yeah sure.”? Do the police need the homeowner’s consent? I would think once they have a search warrant they can do it regardless. ---
**Author:** ![FrankJBN](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f0a364/32.png) [@FrankJBN](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FrankJBN)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2013, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-search-for-jimmy-hoffa-why-how/647306/28 "2013-01-25T17:31:17Z")
Of course police would not need consent if they have a warrant, but consent is easier to seek than a warrant (just ask) and generally speaking reliable information conceerning the subject of the search would be required to obtain a warrant. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2013, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-search-for-jimmy-hoffa-why-how/647306/29 "2013-01-25T17:39:01Z")
They need probable cause to obtain a warrant. Given that they haven’t found the body in 40 years, they are unlikely to have much evidence to support a warrant affidavit. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2013, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-search-for-jimmy-hoffa-why-how/647306/30 "2013-01-25T18:00:15Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > The FBI is Charlie Brown, Hoffa is the football, and any old mob boss can play Lucy for a while. Well said. ---
**Author:** ![solosam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@solosam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solosam)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2013, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-search-for-jimmy-hoffa-why-how/647306/31 "2013-01-25T19:36:31Z")
> [@NitroPress](#): > > 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. But that’s not my point… my point is that we have no body, so people will naturally be curious. ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2013, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-search-for-jimmy-hoffa-why-how/647306/32 "2013-01-25T22:18:57Z")
Everyone knows his body was under the 50 yard line at the Silverdome encased in concrete, which was then transplanted to the Macinac Bridge to repair some decking until it was later used under a support pillar when constructing the Zilwaukee Bridge. His head, however, resides under home plate at the old Tiger Stadium, of which only Mike Ilitch knows the combination. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2013, 7:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-search-for-jimmy-hoffa-why-how/647306/33 "2013-01-26T07:34:34Z")
I don’t care about logic and evidence. I still plan on running into Jimmy and Amelia sunning themselves on chaises outside D.B. Cooper’s seaside bar on a remote Pacific Island. Playing gin rummy with the actual Paul McCartney and the Lindbergh baby. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2013, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-search-for-jimmy-hoffa-why-how/647306/34 "2013-01-27T00:48:03Z")
Elvis must be there, too. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2013, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-search-for-jimmy-hoffa-why-how/647306/35 "2013-01-27T02:59:23Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > **Moderator Note** > > **Saraya** , political jabs are not allowed in General Questions. No warning issued, but don’t do this again. Forget the location of Hoffa’s body… the real question is what happened to Colibri’s common sense! How else to explain this note? Pointing out that Hoffa ran a powerful union and the mob didn’t like powerful unions is exactly what everyone believes happened to him. ---
**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 27, 2013, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-search-for-jimmy-hoffa-why-how/647306/36 "2013-01-27T05:10:10Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > Forget the location of Hoffa’s body… the real question is what happened to Colibri’s common sense! > > How else to explain this note? Pointing out that Hoffa ran a powerful union and the mob didn’t like powerful unions is exactly what everyone believes happened to him. **Moderator Warning** **Justin\_Bailey** , you’ve been around long enough to know that questions about moderating belong in ATMB, and should not be taken up in General Questions. In any case, the note was for **Saraya’s** inappropriate comment that “Unions are a bane,” which has nothing to do with the fact that Hoffa ran a powerful union. Others have noted that fact without any comment by me. Do not do this again. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2013, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-search-for-jimmy-hoffa-why-how/647306/37 "2013-01-27T14:21:24Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > **Moderator Warning** > > **Justin\_Bailey** , you’ve been around long enough to know that questions about moderating belong in ATMB, and should not be taken up in General Questions. In any case, the note was for **Saraya’s** inappropriate comment that “Unions are a bane,” which has nothing to do with the fact that Hoffa ran a powerful union. Others have noted that fact without any comment by me. Do not do this again. Are you for real? It was a _joke_. ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2013, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-search-for-jimmy-hoffa-why-how/647306/38 "2013-01-27T14:26:52Z")
It’s a bit of a puzzle to me why there is so much interest in Hoffa’s disappearance. Yes- great to find his remains, but he wasn’t a terribly nice person. And after all these years it does seem a bit of a waste. And it would be unlikely that the discovery of a body would enable the prosecution of anyone. ---
**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 27, 2013, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-search-for-jimmy-hoffa-why-how/647306/39 "2013-01-27T16:17:12Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > Are you for real? It was a _joke_. **Moderator Note** Jokes are usually funny. There isn’t the slightest indication in your post that it was intended as a joke. As I said, comments about moderation belong in ATMB. Drop the discussion here. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2013, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-search-for-jimmy-hoffa-why-how/647306/40 "2013-01-27T17:41:48Z")
So the FBI finds human remains (by now, a skeleton), and DNA testing reveals they are Hoffa’s-what next? Are murder indictments coming? This is the kind of thing that makes me question the judgement of the FBI-why spend all that money? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-search-for-jimmy-hoffa-why-how/647306.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-search-for-jimmy-hoffa-why-how/647306.md?page=3)