What Happened to Howard Hunts Wife? Did Howard Hunts Wife Die in a Plane Crash?

What Happened to Howard Hunts Wife? 

Dorothy Hunt, the wife of Howard Hunt, met a tragic fate in a plane crash on December 8, 1972, which occurred approximately six months after the Watergate break-in. During this period, the investigations into the Watergate scandal were intensifying, placing significant pressure on Howard Hunt. He was facing impending trial as one of the indicted individuals, alongside Gordon Liddy and the five burglars, and had to navigate a difficult decision regarding his defense strategy.

Howard Hunt found himself in a precarious situation. Revealing the truth would implicate the Nixon administration directly, while pleading guilty and denying any connection with the White House would result in imprisonment, with the hope that President Nixon, who had recently been re-elected, would later grant him a pardon as a gesture of gratitude for his silence.

A few weeks before the trial was set to begin, United Air Lines Flight 553 crashed during landing operations. Among the passengers on that ill-fated flight were Dorothy Hunt, CBS news correspondent Michelle Clark, and Illinois congressman George W. Collins. The official investigations determined that the primary cause of the crash was pilot error, specifically the flight crew’s failure to properly monitor and control the descent rate of the aircraft.

However, the circumstances surrounding the crash raised suspicions due to several peculiar factors. Most notably, the FBI arrived at the crash site only 45 minutes after the incident, before the official investigators from the NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board). The FBI requested access to the control tower tapes even before the NTSB. A letter from the NTSB chairman to the FBI Director in 1973, cited on Wikipedia, expressed concerns about the true nature of the crash.

In response, the FBI stated that they were unaware of Dorothy Hunt’s presence on the flight when they arrived at the scene. They clarified that their involvement in the plane crash was aimed at “developing any information indicating a possible Federal violation within the investigative jurisdiction of the FBI.”

Did Howard Hunts Wife Die in a Plane Crash?

Yes, Howard Hunt’s wife, Dorothy Hunt, died in a plane crash. The crash occurred on December 8, 1972, and Dorothy Hunt was among the passengers on the flight. Dorothy Hunt, the wife of Howard Hunt, tragically died in the crash of United Airlines Flight 553 in Chicago, Illinois.

The flight, a scheduled route from Washington National Airport to Omaha, Nebraska, with a stopover at Chicago Midway International Airport, experienced a devastating incident during an aborted landing and go-around procedure.

The specific aircraft involved was a Boeing 737-222 named City of Lincoln, registered as N9031U. It encountered difficulties while approaching Midway Airport, resulting in the fatal crash. This unfortunate event claimed the lives of numerous passengers, including Dorothy Hunt.

The HBO series “White House Plumbers” reignited interest in Dorothy Hunt’s life and the circumstances surrounding her death. The show likely prompted a renewed examination of the historical context and details of her involvement in the Watergate scandal and the tragic plane crash that took her life.

“For the first time in the memory of our staff, an FBI agent went to the control tower and listened to the tower tapes before our investigators had done so; and for the-first time to our knowledge, in connection with an aircraft accident, an FBI agent interviewed witnesses to the crash, including flight attendants on the aircraft prior to the NTSB interviews.

As I am sure you can understand, these actions, particularly with respect to this flight on which Mrs. E. Howard Hunt was killed, have raised innumerable questions in the minds of those with legitimate interests in ascertaining the cause of this accident.”

Howard Hunts Wife

Dorothy Louise (née Wetzel) Day Goutiere Hunt, Howard Hunt’s first wife, was born on April 1st, 1920, in Dayton, Ohio. She had a diverse professional background, having worked as an employee for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in Shanghai. Later, she served as a secretary for the Marshall Plan under W. Averell Harriman in Paris.

Tragically, Dorothy Hunt lost her life on December 8, 1972, in the crash of United Airlines Flight 553 in Chicago. The crash underwent thorough investigations by Congress, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

The official conclusion was that the crash resulted from crew error, deeming it an accident. In a noteworthy discovery, more than $10,000 in cash was found in Dorothy Hunt’s handbag amidst the wreckage. This discovery raised intrigue and speculation surrounding the circumstances of the crash and the purpose of the money.

Howard Hunt eventually remarried to Laura Martin, a schoolteacher. Together, they raised two children named Austin and Hollis. After Howard’s release from prison, he and Laura relocated to Guadalajara, Mexico, where they resided for five years. Following their time in Mexico, they returned to the United States and settled in Miami, Florida.

Howard Hunts Children

Dorothy Hunt and Howard Hunt had three children together: Saint John, Lisa, and Kevan. Additionally, they raised David, who was Dorothy’s child from a previous relationship. Their family life was characterized by the love and support they provided to one another, with Dorothy playing a significant role in supporting Howard’s career endeavors.

Following the unfortunate death of Dorothy in the plane crash, Howard Hunt eventually entered into a new marriage. He married Laura Martin, a schoolteacher, and together they became parents to two children named Austin and Hollis. The blended family embarked on a new chapter of their lives, raising their children and creating a supportive home environment.

Through these various relationships and marriages, Howard Hunt became a father to five children and experienced the joys and challenges that come with parenthood. Each child played a unique role in his life, contributing to the complex dynamics of their extended family structure.