Bill Warren has spent much of his life exploring shipwrecks in relative obscurity, but his next mission is bound to place him in the spotlight and at the center of controversy. He hopes to locate and haul up the body of Osama bin Laden.
The Arabian Sea expedition, set to launch in 2-3 weeks, will stir emotions and draw a flood of criticism.
But as the shipwreck explorer said on a Southern California outdoors radio show Wednesday night, he wants to go after Bin Laden's body to prove that the former Al Qaeda leader was, in fact, buried at sea by sailors aboard the USS Carl Vinson.
Of course, Warren also acknowledged that he intends to profit from the voyage by various means, including a possible sale of the body to Bin Laden relatives.
In a telephone interview Thursday, the salvage specialist revealed that he has been contacted, via email, by people claiming to be relatives. "They didn't identify who they were, but they said if you can find the body we would make it worth your while," Warren said. "There were no dollar figures."
Warren's salvage highlights include locating the renowned treasure wreck, Verelst, off Mauritius; and the British ship, Port Royal, which carried would-be colonists and sank in 1670 off the Bahamas.
The "Hunt for the Proof" Bin Laden expedition, he said, will involve a documentary team and renowned DNA expert Ryan Lehto. Lehto confirmed that he has been in touch with Warren and plans to make the voyage. The scientist added that if a body or even its teeth are found, he'd be able to learn whether the body is that of the notorious terrorist.
The body is said to have been dumped overboard in a weighted a rubber- or lead-lined bag. "If we see what looks like a cigar on the bottom, it would probably be his body," Warren said, adding that a remotely operated vehicle will be used to retrieve the body.
As the yet-to-be announced departure date draws closer, however, he admits to experiencing bouts of paranoia.
"I'm hoping I don't have problems with Al Qaeda coming out there, or even here," Warren, who lives in Southern California, said. "And with my government ... I know the government doesn't want me out there doing it, but I don't know if legally they can stop me."
Warren added that it could take days or weeks to locate the body, and that he's still not sure what he'll do with the body if it is found and raised. "I think this is a great mystery and I'm going to find out -- if we can find him -- if it's really him, through photographs, video and DNA," He said. "After that ... I don't know."
-- Images of Bill Warren and his treasure-hunting ship are courtesy of Bill Warren
It looks like an interesting voyage for Bill Warren. Is this something he does out of interest or does he gets paid to do it?
Posted by: Everest Trekking London | Mar 10, 2012 at 01:40 AM
I really don't understand why the press even gives attention to this story... What a joke !!!
This Bill Warren is looking for money, that's all. He will never find anything at sea but very naive possible funders to follow him and full stop. Nothing else to say of interest for this subject really...
Posted by: Treasures | Jul 13, 2011 at 11:48 PM
Mr. Warren has contacted me about various "adventures" all of which remind us that money only comes from one place: other people.
Check out Bill Warren's Vegas singing career on youtube under "come on home".
Posted by: Watch your wallet | Jul 11, 2011 at 05:32 AM
All I can say is that if/when Al Quida does come out to meet him, that he should not expect the US government to rescue his ass. This stunt will do nobody any good except maybe line his own pockets, so he can pay the fiddler when the Devil comes to dance.
Posted by: SueZ | Jul 08, 2011 at 07:47 PM
Sounds like a misguided, partisan pretext to impugn the notable achievement of President Obama.
That or an old man emulating recent teens' vain grasp towards attention and fame.
I say the former.
"Politics, in a sense, has always been a con game." - Joe McGinniss
Posted by: Noble.deeds.are.most.estimable.when.hidden | Jul 08, 2011 at 03:14 PM