Conspiracy theories surround adventurer's disappearance

Finding out what happened to Steve Fossett may be a step closer today after search teams spotted what is thought to be wreckage and belongings which may belong to the missing millionaire were found by a hiker.

Despite an extensive search after Fossett disappeared, no evidence of him or his plane was found and the lack of proof of a crash fuelled speculation about Fossett's disappearance.

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Some people refused to believe that a simple air crash would finish off a man who had survived so many dangerous situations during his high speed and round the world adventures.

Fossett had such a wealth of flying experience that some speculated that if he died in a small, reliable plane in good conditions it must have been suicide.

There were unconfirmed reports of mistresses and stories that his fortune was shrinking as the economy began to struggle, suggesting he might not be as happy as he appeared to the outside world.

But friends said Fossett had been fine when he disappeared and was excited about trying to break the landspeed record - an attempt that was only months away.

With no body and no wreckage, there was nothing to confirm Fossett was dead at all and one theory was that Fossett had faked his own death so he could start afresh elsewhere.

But there have been no confirmed sightings and no plausible theories about where Fossett might have gone.

Many of those involved in the search attempts have dismissed the theories saying it would be easy for the wreckage of the small plane to remain hidden in the rugged terrain or beneath trees.

Several other plane wrecks were found during the searches for Fossett.

The American had left no flight plan and the area he may have flown over is huge so it may simply be that searches have concentrated on the wrong place.

Another theory is that he crashed into Walker Lake or the wreckage has rolled into a hole or a mineshaft.

But, as with all mysteries, the theories are numerous and some are more far fetched than others.

Some conspiracy theorists have speculated that Fossett strayed into one of the military operation areas near Walker Lake before he was shot down or made to disappear.

Others have even suggested he may have been kidnapped by aliens.