I’ve camped on
the Inca Trail and has some anxious moments but nothing quite like this. In
1961, Michael Rockefeller, son of Nelson Rockefeller, disappeared during an
expedition in the Asmat region of southwestern New Guinea. On November 17,
1961, Rockefeller and a Dutch anthropologist named René Wassing were on a
double pontoon boat that overturned. After drifting for some time, Rockefeller told
Wassing he was going to try to swim to shore. The boat was thought to be about
12 miles from shore. This supports the theory that he died from exposure,
exhaustion, and/or drowning. Wassing was rescued the next day, while
Rockefeller was never seen again, despite an intensive and lengthy search. Most
believe that Rockefeller either drowned or was attacked by a shark or saltwater
crocodile. However, it is also true that headhunting and cannibalism were still
present in some areas of Asmat during that time and some have speculated that
Rockefeller was killed and eaten by local people. If I had Rockefeller’s money,
one of the last places you would find me is in some dangerous jungle area, yet
other affluent souls have also perished or disappeared doing some dangerous
activities.
