Steve Fossett Hoax

Avid adventurer Steve Fossett disappeared after what was supposed to be a short plane flight over the Nevada desert in September 2007. His disappearance led to the largest search for a missing plane in the history of the United States.Telegraph: Adventurer Steve Fossett's Widow... (July 29, 2008)

On September 29, 2008, a hiker near Mammoth Lakes, California, found three IDs with Fossett's name on it, about $1000 in cash and a jacket. A search in the area recovered a plane wreck on October 1, 2008.Daily Mail: Search teams Find Steve Fossett's Plane (October 2, 2008)ABC News: Possible Fossett ID, Other Items Found in California (October 1, 2008) Later the same day, remains were found assumed to be Fossett's. DNA samples were taken from the remains and are being analyzed to confirm the identity.Bay News 9: Remains found at Steve Fossett wreckage site (October 2, 2008)

Before the finding of Steve Fossett's belongings in the end of September 2008, some speculated that his disappearance was a hoax, and that he had faked his own death.News Of The World (UK): Did Steve Fossett fake his death? (July 27, 2008)

In the past, U.S. Civil Air Patrol Lieutenant Colonel Cynthia Ryan said that the body of Fossett "should have been found" during the extensive search, which included Black Hawk helicopters with infra-red technology and 30 private planes. Colonel Ryan believed Fossett faked his death because of personal or business problems.Telegraph: Adventurer Steve Fossett's Widow... (July 29, 2008) His widow, Peggy Fossett, and close friend and fellow adventurer Richard Branson both dismissed the claims.Telegraph: Adventurer Steve Fossett's Widow... (July 29, 2008)