A Letter That Divulged John’s Condition

In a twist to an already legendary tale, John’s letter revealed he had been living in Southern California, shockingly close to the very prison he had risked everything to flee. This revelation came from one of the final lines in his note, suggesting a cruel irony that after decades of freedom, he found himself mere hours away from Alcatraz.

The letter also painted a picture of a man in declining health, desperate for medical treatment. In an unconventional plea, Anglin expressed willingness to surrender to incarceration once more if it meant receiving the necessary medical care—a gamble that underscores his dire circumstances.