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The conspiracy theories that won’t go away
Despite the official explanation, the decision to bury bin Laden at sea immediately sparked controversy.
Over the years, conspiracy theories have flourished, with some people claiming there is no proof bin Laden was ever killed. Others have suggested a body double may have been used.
The theory gained significant attention in 2020 after then-President Donald Trump retweeted an article promoting the claim.
O’Neill was quick to respond.
”Very brave men said good bye to their kids to go kill Osama bin Laden. We were given the order by President Obama. It was not a body double. Thank you Mr. President.”
O’Neill addresses the burial debate
Following the release of the Netflix series, O’Neill once again found himself answering questions about what happened to bin Laden’s remains.
This time, he made it clear that he had no involvement in the burial itself.
”I didn’t bury anyone at sea, BTW…” he wrote on X.
U.S. officials have previously cited two reasons for the controversial decision.
First, no country was reportedly willing to accept bin Laden’s remains. Second, authorities feared that a traditional gravesite could eventually become a pilgrimage site or shrine for supporters of the al-Qaeda leader.
Even so, debate over the decision continues more than a decade later.
In fact, O’Neill has openly acknowledged that he would have preferred a different outcome.