Today in history On May 6, 1996 – The body of former CIA director William Colby is found washed up on a riverbank in southern Maryland

 

Today in history 

On May 6, 1996 – The body of former CIA director William Colby is found washed up on a riverbank in southern Maryland, eight days after he disappeared.

On April 27, 1996, former CIA Director William Colby disappeared from his vacation home in Rock Point, Maryland, after reportedly going out for a canoe ride. His absence quickly triggered concern, as friends and neighbors described this behavior as out of character. Colby's canoe was later found washed up on a sandbar near his property, with his life jacket and wallet still inside—adding a layer of mystery to his disappearance. The incident drew national attention due to Colby’s prominent intelligence background and the unexplained nature of the event.

After an eight-day search involving helicopters, divers, and local authorities, Colby’s body was found on May 6, 1996, washed up on the banks of the Wicomico River. An autopsy concluded that Colby had drowned and ruled the death as accidental, likely caused by a stroke or heart attack while canoeing. While the official explanation seemed straightforward, the circumstances surrounding his death continued to fuel speculation and conspiracy theories, particularly among those who believed his work in intelligence might have made him a target.

Colby had served as CIA Director from 1973 to 1976 during a turbulent time in U.S. history, marked by the Vietnam War and the Watergate scandal. He is perhaps best known for his controversial decision to cooperate with congressional investigations into CIA abuses, including covert operations and domestic surveillance, known as the "Family Jewels." Some critics viewed him as a whistleblower who betrayed agency secrets, while others praised his efforts to promote transparency and reform. His mysterious death, coming decades after his tenure, left lingering questions in the minds of many who followed his career and the often-shadowy world of espionage.

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