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Charles Lindbergh was a famous aviator \u2013 the first person to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean nonstop. His flight aboard the Spirit of St Louis<\/em> from New York to Paris in 1927 catapulted him into the public eye.<\/p>\n In 1932, Charles was living a life of fame with his wife, Anne Morrow Lindbergh, and 20-month-old son, Charles Jr, in New Jersey. But on the evening of 1 March, Charlie was kidnapped. At 7.30pm, their nurse Betty Gow laid the toddler down to sleep in his crib. About two hours later, Charles heard a noise he thought sounded like a crate smashing, but thought nothing of it.<\/p>\n Then at 10pm, the nanny, frantic with worry, reported that the baby had disappeared. In his bedroom, Charles found a handwritten, misspelled note: \u201cDear Sir! Have 50000$ redy 25000$ in 20$ bills 15000$ in 10$ bills and 10000$ in 5$ bills\u2026 We warn you for making anyding public or for notify the Police. The child is in gut care.\u201d<\/p>\n So began one of the most lurid cases in American criminal history. The\u00a0kidnapping was front-page news, with Charles and Anne receiving many offers of help and sympathy, but amid massive publicity, crowds swiftly swarmed to the Lindbergh estate, destroying any chance of finding footprints. Amateur detectives, military men and even Chicago mobsters offered their assistance. President Hoover declared he would \u201cmove Heaven and Earth\u201d to find the child, and even mobster Al Capone<\/a> sent an offer of assistance from prison.<\/p>\n