New study casts doubt on theory Anne Frank was betrayed

FILE - This June 12, 2009 file photo, shows a photo of Anne Frank at the opening of the exhibition: "Anne Frank, a History for Today", at the Westerbork Remembrance Centre in Hooghalen, northeast Netherlands. A new study by the Anne Frank House museum in Amsterdam said Friday, Dec. 16, 2016, there is no conclusive evidence that the Jewish diarist and her family were betrayed to the Netherlands’ German occupiers during World War II, leading to their arrest and deportation. (AP Photo/Bas Czerwinski, File) (The Associated Press)

THE HAGUE, Netherlands – Anne Frank may not have been betrayed to Nazi occupiers, but captured by chance.

A new study by the Anne Frank House museum in Amsterdam says there is no conclusive evidence that the Jewish diarist and her family were betrayed to the Netherlands' German occupiers during World War II, leading to their arrest and deportation.

Ronald Leopold, Executive Director of the Anne Frank House museum, said in a statement Friday that new research by the museum "illustrates that other scenarios should also be considered."

One possible theory is that the Aug. 4, 1944, raid that led to Anne's arrest could have been part of an investigation into illegal labor or falsified ration coupons at the canal-side house where she and other Jews hid for just over two years.