On a summer day in June of 1991, 69-year-old Harry Robert Rocheleau, also known as Bob Rocheleau, was one of six people aboard a boat on the Copper River in Alaska. The group was near Haley Creek when the vessel suddenly capsized. While three individuals managed to survive the harrowing incident, Rocheleau, along with Loren Kosa and Monte Kosa, disappeared into the waters of the river. At the time of the incident, Rocheleau was wearing a blue t-shirt, light blue pants, and black rubber boots.
The remote and rugged landscape of the Copper River area presented significant challenges to search and rescue efforts. The vast wilderness and the powerful currents of the river made locating the three missing men an arduous task. Despite the efforts of the Alaska State Troopers and likely other local search parties, no sign of Rocheleau, or the Kosa brothers, was found in the immediate aftermath of the accident. The unpredictable nature of the river and the dense surrounding terrain meant that the search was expansive and difficult, yielding no clues as to their whereabouts.
The disappearance of Harry Rocheleau, Loren Kosa, and Monte Kosa has remained unresolved for decades, a painful ambiguity for their families and a somber reminder of the unforgiving nature of the Alaskan wilderness. The case is a testament to the dangers that can accompany travel and recreation in the state's vast and wild waterways. The capsizing of their boat on that June day led to a sudden and tragic vanishing, leaving behind unanswered questions. The incident stands as a permanent record of three lives lost to the river, an event that underscores the inherent risks of navigating the powerful and often treacherous Alaskan waters.Last Seen: Jun 21, 1991
