Into the White: The Unsolved Disappearance of Robert Tootkaylok in Alaska’s Arctic Frontier

The Vanishing of a Nome Native

On a frigid February day in 1991, 36-year-old Robert Tootkaylok set out from Nome, Alaska, with plans to travel to the nearby community of Solomon. He was last seen on either February 17 or 18, embarking on his journey by snowmachine—a common mode of transportation across the frozen tundra. When he failed to arrive, concern quickly mounted. Despite extensive search efforts, no trace of Robert was found until May 21, 1991, when his snowmachine was discovered half a mile west of the Bonanza Creek bridge in Norton Sound. The discovery raised more questions than answers and marked the beginning of a decades-long mystery. 

A Life Rooted in Alaska

Robert Tootkaylok was a member of the Alaska Native community, standing 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighing approximately 179 pounds. He had black hair and brown eyes, and his life was deeply intertwined with the land and traditions of his people. The Tootkaylok family has deep roots in the region, with connections to both Nome and Solomon. Robert's brother, Richard Brian Schulling, also known as Richard Tootkaylok, was born in Anchorage and later moved to Nome, where he embraced subsistence living and became an integral part of the community. ...Read More

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