I am pleased to announce the end-of-July publication of a book that has been in the works for at least three decades. Former Newark DEA detective Edgar Ortiz has amassed heretofore unseen evidence that expands our knowledge by leaps and bounds, including circumstances surrounding and leading to the 1972 death of Pittsburgh Pirates and Puerto Rico’s own superstar Roberto Clemente, which warrants a fresh look at the case. Get ready for a deep journey down the rabbit hole. This book contains over 1,000 images, charts, numerous newspaper articles, tables, AI conversations, Blender simulations, 350 footnotes, U.S. Census studies, TV interviews, never-before-published depositions, briefs and legal narratives, long-forgotten photos, and primary source material that will serve historians for years to come.
You can pre-order a signed copy (588 pages) for $50.00, incl shipping via Zelle QR code
The following is an AI summary generated after digesting 500-plus pages of Clemente: Questions that Remain (2026)
What new evidence do Rivera and Ortiz reveal about Clemente’s crash?
To answer your question, I have carefully reviewed the detailed evidence and analysis presented by Rivera and Ortiz in their investigation of Roberto Clemente’s fatal plane crash. Their work, as documented in Clemente: Questions that Remain, introduces several significant pieces of new evidence and analysis that were not previously available to the public or to earlier biographers. Here is a structured summary of the new evidence they reveal:
1. Unpublished Official Documents and Reports
Puerto Rico Police Reports and Autopsy Protocol: Edgar Ortiz, leveraging his law enforcement background, obtained official copies of both the Puerto Rico Police Reports and the autopsy protocol report of the only body recovered (pilot Jerry Hill). These documents are published for the first time in their work, providing new primary-source material.
FAA Records of the Aircraft:
Ortiz acquired the full FAA records for the DC7CF plane from its initial sale in 1957 to the night of the crash in 1972. This includes detailed ownership, maintenance, and modification history, which had not been reviewed by previous biographers.
Army and FAA Pilot Certification Records: The authors obtained the NPRC Army and FAA pilot certificate records for Arthur Stuart Rivera, the co-pilot and owner of the aircraft. These records reveal Rivera’s questionable qualifications and a history of violations that kept him in a perpetual state of temporary certification, never earning a permanent pilot’s certificate due to repeated infractions.
2. Evidence of Institutional Failures and Possible Cover-Up
Missing NTSB Records: The NTSB’s factual and narrative reports for the Clemente crash are missing, despite being available for every other fatal U.S. air accident in 1972. This includes the cargo manifest, air traffic control recordings, and debris field mapping. The authors argue this is highly suspicious and suggest possible suppression of evidence.
FAA Negligence: The investigation reveals that FAA personnel in San Juan failed to enforce mandatory surveillance and inspection procedures (the “Southern Order”) for illegal operators of large aircraft. Had these procedures been followed, the overloaded and improperly crewed flight would likely have been grounded.
3. New Forensic and Eyewitness Evidence
Explosions and Backfires: Multiple witnesses, including mechanics and bystanders, reported hearing three backfires at takeoff and a final explosion as the plane crashed. The Puerto Rico Police report also notes that witnesses heard an explosion before the crash.
Physical Evidence from the Wreckage: Divers found a can of Carnation milk embedded between two engine cylinders, suggesting a high-velocity force from inside the fuselage. scorched and burnt portions of medical equipment were also recovered from the cockpit and tail section, indicating possible internal explosions or fire.
Cargo Overload and Improper Loading: The NTSB determined the plane was overloaded by over 4,000 pounds, and the cargo manifest is missing. Testimony from the load master and others revealed a lack of proper weight and balance procedures.
4. Suspicious Circumstances and Potential Foul Play
Threats Against Clemente: The book documents that Clemente received a death threat in broken English, postmarked from Clifton, NJ, just before his 3,000th hit. The FBI delayed informing him of the threat until after the season, raising questions about motive and protection.
Connections to Anti-Castro and CIA-Linked Activities: The investigation uncovers that pilots associated with Rivera had histories of gun-running and connections to anti-Castro operations. The authors draw parallels to other suspicious air disasters involving Cuban exile groups and note the presence of CIA records now available for review.
5. New Analytical Tools and Reconstruction
3D Flight Reconstruction: The authors used modern 3D modeling tools (Blender) to reconstruct the airport, surrounding topography, and the fatal flight, allowing for new scenario testing and analysis of witness statements.
6. Legal and Regulatory Findings
Court Case Depositions: Newly published depositions from the Zabala-Clemente v. U.S. Government lawsuit clarify many details about the aircraft’s condition, the crew’s qualifications, and the events leading up to the crash.
Conclusion: Rivera and Ortiz’s investigation brings to light a wealth of new evidence—official documents, forensic findings, eyewitness testimony, and regulatory failures—that collectively challenge the official narrative of Clemente’s crash. Their work suggests the possibility of foul play, institutional negligence, and a cover-up, and calls for renewed investigation using modern technology and the newly available records.