Loren Kosa Missing Person Case

Feb 28, 2019

Sep 27, 2022

Loren

Kosa

97

62

69 inches

145 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

On June 21, 1991, a boating trip on the Copper River in Alaska turned to tragedy. Loren E. Kosa, a 62-year-old man, was one of six individuals on board a boat near Haley Creek when the vessel capsized. The powerful river waters presented an immediate and life-threatening situation for everyone on the craft. While three people managed to survive the harrowing ordeal, Loren Kosa, along with Monte Kosa and Harry Rocheleau, disappeared into the turbulent river. An immediate search and rescue effort was launched by the Alaska State Troopers, but the vast and rugged wilderness surrounding the Copper River presented significant challenges. The circumstances of the boat capsizing point to a sudden and catastrophic event that left little time for those on board to react. The force of the river, combined with the likely cold temperature of the water, would have created a perilous environment. For the three who survived, it was undoubtedly a traumatic experience, having witnessed their companions swept away by the current. The initial report to the Alaska State Troopers on the same day as the incident underscores the urgency of the situation and the immediate concern for the three missing men. Despite the efforts of authorities, no trace of Loren Kosa, Monte Kosa, or Harry Rocheleau was ever found. The case remains a painful memory for the families and the community, a stark reminder of the unforgiving nature of the Alaskan wilderness and the inherent dangers of river travel in the region. The official investigation, handled by the Alaska State Troopers, recorded the incident and the disappearances, but with no individuals recovered, the case transitioned from a rescue to a recovery mission, and eventually to an unsolved missing persons case. The disappearance of the three men is a somber event in the history of the Copper River area, illustrating a tragic accident that resulted in a profound and lasting loss.

Jun 21, 1991

Copper River

Alaska

Valdez–Cordova Census Area

No

48463

Alaska State Troopers

Anchorage

Alaska

Anchorage Borough

99507

Malia Miller

Missing Persons Clearinghouse Manager

5700 East Tudor Road, Alaska

9072695511

State

Law Enforcement

910040183

1991-06-21

Alaska State Troopers

9772

Brown

Blue

Blue

07/17/2026