Can you imagine if Mary jo had been driving and Ted died? She would have gotten life in prison for the same actions he took.

The sad part is, after he killed her he became the head of the Senate Ethics committee

After the incident Kennedy actually passed by a few houses and the fire station on the way back to where his friends were at the "Lawrence" house rather than stopping by a nearer place to get help.

We all know what happened. The fact that Ted got to live out his life free and still in power is an absolute disgrace.

He never cared enough to look for her and save her. He’s a bold faced liar that he tried to find her. He knew he was drunk and he tried to take advantage of her. Awful for her poor family.

He was out to wet his beak and it went horribly wrong. He left the girl to die in the car. Proper POS.

National Lampoon magazine was sued by VW for using their ad of a floating VW Beetle but with the tag line "If Ted Kennedy Had Driven A Volkswagen He Would Be President Today."

I remember this when it happened - I was a kid at the time. No one (on either side of the political fence) believed Ted was innocent and that his money was buying him out of trouble. For some reason, at that time, it was like "well what are you going to do, that's how it is." It's like the Kennedys were royalty and allowed to do whatever they wanted and a lot of people were and still are fine with that. Mary Jo and her family will never get justice.

In the 70s we took the ferry from Falmouth over to Martha's Vineyard and took a bus tour of the island. When we went past the location of the accident the tour guide refused to answer any questions about the incident or acknowledge that one of the Kennedys was involved in any wrong doing. That attitude of protecting the Kennedy image was common back then.

More than likely he stood on the bridge wringing his hands while contemplating how this would affect his political career rather than trying to save Mary Jo.

A good book on this is "Death at Chappaquiddick" by Richard and Thomas Tedrow. They lay out the facts quite thoroughly. Ted Kennedy told a story full of holes and incoherence. She might have been saved if the accident had been reported promptly. Ted was only thinking about himself. Interesting to see these places as they are today. Thanks for another excellent video.

Mary Jo was my father in law’s high school girlfriend. Upon graduating they parted ways, he became a cop in NJ and she wanted to work for the Kennedy’s and became a “Boiler Room Girl”. My father in law went to his grave 40 years later angry at the near mention of Ted Kennedys name. He felt she was murdered and that it wasn’t an accident.

She was alive in the car. In an air pocket. If help had been sent for, she would have lived.

I remember this well. I think Ted was so scared he only thought about saving himself and then to not get in any trouble? Oh the power of a strong and super financial family. Very sad story for Mary Jo’s family.

How Ted got out, yet didn’t get Mary Jo out is a mystery, it’s not that deep. He just left her. If it had been my daughter he did this to, I’d be in jail for Teddy’s sudden demise.

I wonder if she said "Ted, I'm pregnant!" and it caused his car to veer off the bridge?. What a guy, he made sure he saved his ass!.

"One rule for thee, another for me..."

How could he sleep that night? That's too much of a relaxed attitude to just leave the car there with Mary Jo in it, dead or alive, head over to his cozy little hotel, and not bother even reporting that accident until the next day.

Years ago when I live on the Vineyard I met one of the jurors in this case, he was still angry years later. I;m surprised you didn't mention that she was pregnant at the time.

The whole thing stunk to high heavens. Once they left the party in Kennedy's Car, Ted had the luxury to make up any story he pleased.

You do such interesting and well researched stories Chris. I appreciate the hard work you put into all your posts. I look forward to seeing everyone 🌟💙🌟such a sad twisted story

“Tired” = drunk

TK probably escaped out of the vehicle in panic & fear of drowning & only thought of himself instead of helping Mary Jo. I also think (IMO) he was crooked and got away with a lot more things in his life, never trusted him.

“Mistakenly” is one way to put it. Another way would be he got drunk and drove off the road and murdered his little booty call.

As a teenager at the time I remember my parents being extremely skeptical of the entire scenario. I get it now. Thanks again for another interesting video. 🌷

I visited that site in the late 1980's and the bridge had been rebuilt by then. It is definitely not an easy place to access and it hasn't changed a lot in 52 years, other than the bridge itself.

As I told folks all too many years ago: Ted Kennedy's car killed more people than my handgun. What's Hell like Teddy Boy? RIP Mary Jo and Mary Ann from Gilligan's Island.

Never get in a land, air, or sea vehicle with a Kennedy.

He was drunk, that's why he waited almost a day to go to the cops.

It’s amazing what you can get away with when you’re rich and powerful, I am sure there’s many women that had experienced this that no longer can talk, Sort of like how KZfaq would silence hot topics by eliminating comments but this one topic most everyone concerned are dead so the fact checkers probably will not find this as important

He was probably drunk! 8 hours later gave time to sober up

simple event its a classic case of cover your ass and let your power money and fame cover everything up worked good for kennedy he got away with it

RIP Mary Jo .We haven't forgot about the hell you endured either Rosemary Kennedy may you also RIP .Someone in the comments asked why bring this up since both were gone now ? Here are two good reasons right here to never forget the things this family did to others including their own family .There are also a lot of suspicious events concerning them also . Marilyn Monroe's death being one of these highly suspicious events they may have had a hand in .I am still on the fence about Robert and John but Ted was a first class douche bag no doubt .As to the air pocket theory yes she could have survived for hours in there .My wife survived a wreck similar to this but the car was nearly completely submerged on it's roof in a creek instead for over 10 hours .She was in near freezing water also with a broken back and numerous other severe injuries .The other passengers in the front seat were decapitated by a cable crossing the creek after the windshield was shattered by it when it went in the creek .She luckily was flung in the back seat somehow and found an air pocket just large enough to put her face up to in the bottom of the car. She did manage to enlarge it with a huge necklace she was wearing .Ironically a St. George slaying the dragon medallion .Her body temp was 74 degrees and both lungs completely full of water .She should have been dead from either one of these alone but lived .It breaks her heart thinking Mary Jo could have underwent this mental torture and horror all alone .If anyone would know what she may have went through during this time she would from experience .In her opinion he basically left her to die so he wouldn't be charged with a drunk driving charge or some other nefarious reason .His getting out of the vehicle so easily is suspicious also .It took them hours getting my wife out due to the threat of the car overturning it was sitting on top of a large rock under the water. It could have done any number of things and filled completely up with water drowning her and they might not could get her out in time to prevent her death nor revive her if it did .She did try breaking out windows and pushing open the doors to no avail. The water pressure and surrounding rocks prevented it .The gas and fuel prevented using a flame or spark of any kind due to fire or explosion from the gasoline .They had to bring in divers to stay with her while they slowly lifted it out of the water with two wreckers .If he got out he could have pulled her out also think about it .He left her to die there plain and simple .If he was highly intoxicated his body would have been more limber preventing more serious injuries .From what she saw on video both could have easily gotten out through the driver's window or door .Even if she was unconscious he could have easily pulled her out and then went and got help for her nearby calling police .He should have been charged with some sort of manslaughter at least .Why didn't he go for help and let the ones who knew how to handle this situation especially the fire department do their job ? That is who oversaw my wife's wreck not police or wrecker drivers. The fire department had all the say in how it was done .It is their job and speciality to do this type of rescue not other first responders in these situations .I am sure they had a fire department there .Heck we live down in the middle of the swamps and have a volunteer fire department here .So sad and what an injustice was done to this lady .

He was only concerned about himself. All a cover up.

Hey Teddy, I think I might be pregnant. Don't worry about it Mary Jo we'll cross that bridge when we get to it.

I've been to this site. This is a great video! Good work, you've nailed it again.

I believe he was drunk and his crew got him out, took him to a motel, sobered him up and left her in the car to drown slowly.

Such a shady accident. It’s still amazing he didn’t do any time for leaving that poor girl injured in the vehicle like that. Selfish bastard. He had the typical Kennedy arrogance

Kennedy is such a liar. If he had been a Republican or someone other than a Kennedy then his career would have been over. He should have went to jail over this. Thank you for remembering her

Teddy got away with murder! So sad that justice wasn't done for this poor lady. I heard that she was pregnant. If so, it was double homicide.😎

I remember this well, despite being only 9 or 10 when it happened. So many theories, some involving malice on Kennedy's part. Personally, I doubt Kennedy intended to kill Mary Jo -- I think he was bombed and only thinking of himself. But he certainly should have been charged with failure to render aid, vehicular homicide, etc.

Love when you do stories like these, it gives a visual picture of some what how it looked 👍🏼👍🏼

I was 9 when this happened but I still remember it vividly.

You may not think it but youre a great historian!

I recall bumper stickers not too long after this incident that said “More people have died in Ted Kennedy’s car than in nuclear power plants”.

So glad you covered this mostly forgotten bit of History.

I love your channel and reccomend to everyone. It's vids like these that make your next uploads so hard to wait for.

Another great video my friend. I’m in MV on a regular basis for work and am familiar with the location. Safe travels!

Great job on this video. I had no idea that she could have possibly survived for several hours after the car went into the water. That is certainly horrifying to think about.

GOD knows what happened and justice will come eventually.

Saw you on Lamont’s channel & liked your tone. Just subscribed & looking forward to more 👍🏽

Another great video Chris,very informative.👍🏾

It’s awesome that you do these videos as I was just a wee little girl when this happened and had no idea he had caused the death of this beautiful young lady!!! Please keep up the great work doing your videos, I look forward to watching them!!! (I think I’ve watched them all!!! Lol!)

I was in high school at the time and I remember this very well. Had it been anyone else, there would have been a list of charges...he got away clean with only some tarnish on his reputation.

Thanks as always, Chris, for your great explorations. You look different than in last year's vids. Stay healthy & well ✌

This story is just sad all the way around. Thank you for making this video, keep up the great work!

This accident caused the political end for Ted Kennedy to ever to run for the President of the USA.

RIP Mary Jo Kopechne! 🙏🏼 🙏🏼

Saw you with Lamont at Large. Great video! Subscribed!😊

Thanks, Chris! I'm happy to see you once again.This was a gruesome event - the year I graduated high school. What really happened will never be known.

What a horrible horrible person and folks would say he was a good man. Money and power rules the world

Such a gorgeous area. Quite an unfortunate and tragic turn of events.

Thank you Chris. As close as I have lived to these locations I never got around to doing what you did. ⚡️💯🤙

Your videos are very good and interesting. You actually go to the locations and incorporate newspaper headlines and pictures. Just watched your video too about John Willes Booth, which was extremely interesting, as well. Thank you

All the thumbs down are the Kennedy's not being happy with this story!

None of the facts quite lined up for me until I read The Bridge at Chappaquiddick by Jack Olsen. And, finally, it all made sense. I never thought he was in the car at all. Jack did meticulous research, and finally tied it all together.

Just came across your account and I'm loving what I have seen.thank you for sharing!!!

Thanks, Chris. Another great video.

Joyce Carol Oates wrote a short novel called Black Water which parallels this incident. It is a fictional novel with a similar character as Mary Jo Kopechne. It is written in a stream of consciousness type perspective, as what she may have been thinking, as she was drowning slowly in that car. It is a terrifying and compelling, very quick read, and was hard for me to put down. Gives a totally different perspective. Great video as always. Thank you for your hard work and interesting stories.

A wonderful and very historical video. Thanks for this....

Great video again my friend

good to see your uploading more Chris your the best finest on KZfaq love your channel dude keep up the good work

The movie showed that Teddy never swam across to Edgartown. He was rowed across by his friend Gargan. Another monumental lie. But Mary Jo gave up her life to keep Teddy from becoming President.

Love your videos! Wish there were more! From Montgomery al

I never heard about this....Thank you for sharing the information

So interesting, such a sad situation, Look forward to seeing more videos from ya found you through Lamont.

Great work,

It's called narcissism, it's all about me, not you. There's a long history of it among the Kennedy clan. The rules are for everyone else, not them.

A mystery for sure, great job Chris !

Thanks, great video as always! What video equipment do you use, If I can ask?

Yeah that makes a lot of sense swim across the water to avoid anyone seeing you, Driving while intoxicated wasn’t an issue until the 80s so more than likely it was him trying to get something that she wasn’t willing to give up in other words she more than likely had morals

She was silenced because she was his mistress and there were rumors she was pregnant. Killed by the man she trusted . The ultimate betrayal .

Keep Making Great Content Man!’

Excellent and interesting video, thank you so much! ✌ love your channel, new sub!!!

One of my aunts who was alive at the time this happened always thought Mary Jo might have been pregnant with Ted’s kid and Ted offed her. Maybe so, the entire story of Teds was bull crap, kind of funny it happened in basically a regular car... nothing fancy that a Kennedy would normally drive. But you know he was a Kennedy can’t touch them. I’d love to see any J Edgar Hover files on this.

It seems that her grave is not visited by anyone,how sad....☹🙁

this is such an interesting concept for a channel

In all these years I’ve never heard that part about the local police coming up on his car parked by that intersection and taking off when they approached. I thought I’d heard every detail about this incident but that’s a new one on me!

And that’s why they call him “the swimmer”

Good job

Great video. Xxx

I'm old enough to remember this when it happened. Great video.....

Most likely the truth will never come out about this, but he had to face the almighty in the end, and that's the worst judge to face. Thanks Chris, good to see you back.

I always find your content super interesting!! Keep up the amazing work!😍😍

Amazing video!!!

Great video thanks for sharing, Ted seemed he was only thinking of himself when then car submerged into the water.. rip Mary jo 🙏🏼

Ted made a statement on TV, a speech aired in the evening, as I recall - I'm sure that's available somewhere. It was an awful thing and showed the poorest judgment.

Great job showing what happened that night. 👍😎

Intresting vid...great job be safe

I think Mary Jo was dead before she went in the water, and old Teddy never even went over that bridge in that car! I believe the scratch marks in the car was a side track to throw the story off to make it look like she drowned! Teddy boy never had a scratch on him in all the pictures I’ve seen! Just a dog collar!