WatchMojo

Login Now!

OR   Sign in with Google   Sign in with Facebook
advertisememt
VOICE OVER: Rebecca Brayton WRITTEN BY: Arianna Wechter
These unsolved American mysteries will make your head spin. Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the most unsettling, unsolved mysteries that occurred in the United States. Our countdown of American unsolved mysteries includes the Knights of the Golden Circle, Area 51, The Zodiac Killer, and more!

#10: Escape from Alcatraz

Also in:

TOP 10 des ESCAPE ROOMS les plus INCROYABLES au MONDE !

It was one of America’s most infamous prisons, and for good reason. Located off the coast of San Francisco, the Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary was deemed inescapable. That is, until 1962, when a group of inmates made it outside the prison’s walls. According to official reports, they left decoys behind, escaped through air vents, and fled on a raft. Their bodies have never been recovered, leading some to believe the attempt was successful. One of the alleged escapees even sent a note to the FBI claiming that they had made it. However, others are less optimistic, and believe that they succumbed to the rough waters. With no physical evidence, their whereabouts remain elusive– although the event did lead to Alcatraz being shut down.

#9: Kryptos

This mystery is interesting, simply because it was created to be one. Erected in 1990, the odd statue sits just outside the CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia. It’s a large stone covered in characters that make up four different cryptic messages. Although three of these messages have been successfully decoded, the last one remains elusive. Countless people have attempted to solve it, with the creator even providing clues to help. While some words have slowly been revealed, the overall message is yet to be solved. We can only imagine the public reaction on the day the 97-letter message is finally cracked– bringing an end to one of America’s most captivating puzzles in recent times.

#8: Knights of the Golden Circle

Also in:

What Were The Knights Templar Really Hiding? | Unveiled

The Civil War was the culmination of disagreement between states, but tensions were already high before its outbreak. Prior to the war, a group of wealthy Southerners established a secret group called the Knights of the Golden Circle. Their goal was to form their own country and continue owning slaves there. However, rumors suggest that their motives were even more insidious than they let on. President Lincoln’s murderer, John Wilkes Booth, was an alleged member of the group, leading to speculation that his assassination was planned by them. Although the Knights dissolved after the War, there are theories proposing that the group still exists today. With ongoing tensions, one can’t help but wonder the possibility of their resurgence.

#7: Jimmy Hoffa’s Disappearance

Also in:

The Untold Story of Jimmy Savile

The fate of this imposing union leader may not be a mystery, but the identity of his killer and the whereabouts of his remains certainly are. Jimmy Hoffa made plenty of enemies during his rise to the top, which only became worse as he achieved power in the union. In 1975, he suddenly disappeared, and was never seen again– dead or alive. An extensive investigation was conducted and besides a single hair strand, hardly any evidence was discovered. Seven years after his disappearance, Hoffa was declared legally dead, and no additional information has come forward since. To this day, his body has never been found– although some cryptic hints have been left by former members of the mob.

#6: D. B. Cooper

Also in:

Top 10 UNSOLVED Reddit Mysteries

The events of this night are so intense that they seem more like a movie plot than real life. In 1971, a man now referred to as D.B. Cooper hijacked a plane, demanded cash and parachutes, then instructed the pilots to continue flying. Soon afterwards, he jumped off– while the plane was still in mid-flight. People were in sheer disbelief, and there was immediate speculation about his fate. Some believed he survived the jump and managed to escape, while others are certain that he died upon impact. With his body having never been recovered, the question remains unanswered. If Cooper indeed survived, then he pulled off one of the greatest heists the country has ever seen.

#5: The Black Dahlia

Also in:

Top 10 Unsolved Classic Hollywood Mysteries

While there have unfortunately been numerous unsolved murders in the United States, this one stands out for its sheer brutality. The victim, Elizabeth Short, was found with extreme injuries– the most noticeable being macabre slashes across her face. News of the death quickly spread across the country, fueled by the unsettling fact that her murderer was still unidentified. Many individuals have since tried to take credit for the crime, but the truth has yet to be uncovered. Today, speculation about the crime and Short herself still persists, with ongoing theories bringing forth new suspects and motives. Although her life was tragically cut short, the memory of the Black Dahlia lives on through those tirelessly seeking justice in her name.

#4: Area 51

Also in:

Why Are Planes Vanishing Over Area 51? | Unveiled

At first glance, this long-standing facility may not appear particularly exciting. Nevertheless, what lies inside the walls of Area 51 has fueled one of the country’s most popular conspiracy theories. But the public can only speculate, as the facility remains off-limits to civilians. The prevailing belief is that it serves as a containment site for extraterrestrial beings. But some also assert that it is a testing ground for devices capable of weather control and time travel. Tensions peaked in 2019 when an online campaign urged people to storm the base. While some breached the property, no one successfully made it inside. The stringent security measures around Area 51 have seemingly resulted in one of the biggest Streisand effects in history.

#3: The Lost Colony of Roanoke

Also in:

100 Unsolved Mysteries

The fate of the residents in one of America’s earliest settlements has stumped people for centuries. The Roanoke Colony was established in 1585 by Sir Ralph Lane with a population of just over a hundred people. However, when it was visited five years later, the colony was nothing more than a ghost town. The only message left behind was a single cryptic word– Croatoan. To this day, no one is sure what became of the people who lived there. While some are optimistic that they integrated with local tribes, others fear a more sinister fate. As one of the country’s oldest mysteries, it has remained a staple of pop culture, even inspiring a season of “American Horror Story.”

#2: The Zodiac Killer

Also in:

Top 10 Unsolved Serial Killer Mysteries

While America has seen its fair share of serial killers over the years, this one stands out for his uncanny ability to evade capture. Utilizing cryptic puzzles and ciphers, the Zodiac Killer was unlike any other killer of his time. He was responsible for five known deaths during his spree, but claimed to have killed 37. Despite advancements in forensic technology, no conclusive answers to his identity have been obtained. The mystery not only became a major facet of pop culture, but it even inspired a popular online meme at one point. Although decades have passed since his last confirmed victim, it’s unsettling to think that a murderer could have been roaming free for the last 50 years. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. The Phoenix Lights A Phenomenon That Helped Cultivate a Generation of Alien Conspiracy Theorists Mass Bird Death An Odd Phenomenon Where Thousands of Birds Crashed into Buildings, Trees, and More The Gurdon Light A Glowing Light That Many Believe Is Powered by a Ghost Looking For His Head

#1: Amelia Earheart’s Disappearance

Also in:

What Happened To Amelia Earhart? | Unveiled

A success story turned tragedy, what happened to Amelia Earhart remains one of the biggest American mysteries. Earhart was considered a trailblazer, becoming the first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean. In 1937, she embarked on a flight across the Pacific with her navigator, and they were never seen again. What made the situation even more unsettling was the fact that her plane couldn’t be found either– almost like it had vanished into thin air. Countless theories have popped up since her disappearance, ranging from her simply crashing into the ocean to her being a spy for President Roosevelt. While nothing has been determined yet, her disappearance remains one of the biggest unsolved questions in the country’s history. Which American mystery would you love to see solved in your lifetime? Let us know in the comments below.

Comments
advertisememt