The Lindberghs immediately alerted the local police, but the investigation was turned over to the New Jersey State Police. During the investigation, a ransom note was uncovered at the crime scene. There were also muddy footprints in the boy’s room. A broken ladder was later discovered not far from the Lindbergh’s home, along with some footprints that led to the woods beyond the property.

Unfortunately, after more than two months of searching, the boy’s dead body was found. The investigation lasted for two years, which found Bruno Richard Hauptmann guilty of the crime and sentenced to death. But Hauptmann maintained his innocence until his death. The famous case led to the creation of the Federal Kidnapping Act, nicknamed the “Lindbergh Law”, which states that moving kidnapping victims across state lines is a federal crime.