The Alleged Cannibalistic Death of Micheal Rockefeller, 1960




Micheal Rockefeller, born in 1938, hailed from a prominent lineage as the grandson of John D. Rockefeller, a renowned figure in the oil industry and one of history's wealthiest individuals. Possessing a deep fascination for indigenous art, Rockefeller embarked on a mission to introduce it to the Western world, leading him to venture to Dutch New Guinea—an expansive island off the Australian coast colonized by the Dutch.

Rockefeller's focus centered on the lives and artistic expression of the Asmat people, an indigenous group whose beliefs attributed supernatural qualities to white individuals. Specifically, Rockefeller immersed himself in studying a particular group of Asmat people residing in the village of Otsjanep.

After his initial visit, Rockefeller returned to the United States but made a subsequent journey to the Asmat region in 1961, accompanied by anthropologist René Wassing. Tragically, their voyage took a harrowing turn when their boat capsized during the journey. Rockefeller valiantly endeavored to swim 12 miles (22 KM) to the nearest shore, while Wassing clung onto the overturned vessel. Regrettably, Rockefeller never resurfaced.

Numerous theories have emerged regarding Rockefeller's fate. Some suggest that he perished by drowning or fell victim to a shark attack. However, the most infamous speculation revolves around the possibility that he was consumed by the Asmat people, renowned for their history of cannibalism and headhunting practices.

Speculations propose that Rockefeller met his demise in a retaliatory act, stemming from the mistreatment of the Asmat people by the Dutch. Within Asmat culture, acts of cannibalism and headhunting often serve as expressions of vengeance. The circumstances surrounding Rockefeller's fate, whether he drowned or became a victim of cannibalism, have since sparked numerous books and documentaries dedicated to unraveling the truth.

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