Experts give update on Amelia Earhart investigation after finding ‘proof’ to solve mystery

Experts have provided an update on the Amelia Earhart investigation after finding 'proof' to solve the long-running mystery.

It was back In the 1930s when Earhart made history as the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean, catapulting her to fame for her incredible achievement.

She went on to become an advocate for equal rights for women and helped establish the Ninety-Nines, an organization supporting women in aviation.

But in 1937, the pilot went missing during an attempt to circumnavigate the globe by air, with Earhart and navigator Fred Noonan disappearing over the Pacific Ocean. Their bodies and aircraft were never recovered.

Earhart was pronounced dead in 1939 after an extensive search, but there has long been speculation and conspiracy theories as to what happened to the pilot.

Investigations are still taking place into the pilot's death (Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Some claimed Earhart and Noonan had died after their plane plummeted down in the sea, whereas others believe they may had managed to land on a Pacific island before passing away there.

All these years later, a 15-person crew from Purdue and the Archeological Legacy Institute (ALI) will begin a three-week expedition to the island of Nikumaroro in the hunt of answers.

And while there mission was meant to commence on November 4, those running the expedition have since confirmed it's been pushed to next year.

The reasoning given was due to teams continuing to work with the Kiribati government through the additional stages of the permit approval process. And due to the South Pacific cyclone season, a safe departure will now not be possible in 2025.

Amelia Earhart was pronounced dead in 1939 (Fotosearch/Getty Images)

Richard Pettigrew, executive director of Archaeological Legacy Institute (ALI), who are heading up the expedition alongside Purdue University, Purdue Research Foundation (PRF), said: "Postponing a complex project like this poses logistical and financial challenges for us and our partners, but we have to take it in stride. We’ve overcome other challenges to this project over the past four years, and we will get past this one, too.

"Because of the compelling evidence we have in front of us, we have to go to Nikumaroro and get a close look at the Taraia Object. Rest assured that we will do just that, so stay tuned! We will have a revised project schedule worked out soon."

Meanwhile, Steve Schultz, senior vice president and general counsel at Purdue University, added: "Maritime expeditions require thorough preparation and numerous clearances. Our project required many approvals at multiple levels of the Kiribati government, and we benefited from cooperation and assistance from officials in Tarawa.

"This is a real-time example of Purdue’s well-known ‘persistent pursuit'. We have gained valuable insights throughout this process and are very confident and resolved to continue this quest with a planned 2026 departure."