Samuel Butler Missing Person Case

Mar 01, 2018

Mar 13, 2024

Samuel

Butler

41

24

67 inches

170 lbs

175 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

In the remote and rugged landscape of Alaska, the disappearance of a young man adds another layer of mystery to the wild terrain. On June 29, 2009, 24-year-old Samuel Herndon Butler was last seen in Coffman Cove, a small community on Prince of Wales Island. Known to his friends and family as Sam, he was a man of 24, with brown hair and blue eyes. That evening, he was reportedly at a party. The circumstances surrounding his departure are unsettling; witnesses stated that he left the gathering in his boat, operating it in an erratic manner. He was dressed for the Alaskan climate in a black jacket, blue jeans, and Doc Marten boots. The last image of him, taken months prior, shows a young man with a hopeful future, a future that would soon become shrouded in uncertainty. The days following Samuel's departure were filled with growing concern as he failed to make contact with anyone. This concern turned to alarm when his boat was discovered. The vessel was found submerged in the chilly waters of Snow Passage, located between Bushy Island and Zarembo Island. This discovery prompted an immediate and extensive search of the surrounding area. Search and rescue teams scoured the passage and the nearby islands, hoping to find any sign of the missing man. Despite their exhaustive efforts, the search was ultimately unsuccessful in locating him. The vast and unforgiving Alaskan wilderness held its secrets close, offering no clues as to Samuel's whereabouts or his fate. Years have passed since Samuel Butler vanished into the Alaskan waters. The case, now cold, remains a painful open wound for his loved ones. The Alaska State Troopers continue to list him as a missing person, the official report filed on the same day he was last seen. His case is a somber reminder of the many individuals who have gone missing in the state, their stories often fading into the background of a breathtaking yet perilous landscape. The overview of this case is one of sudden and unexplained loss. A young man, after a social gathering, takes to his boat and is never heard from again. The discovery of his submerged boat points to a tragic accident, yet without a body, a definitive conclusion remains elusive, leaving his family with unanswered questions and the enduring pain of not knowing.

Jun 29, 2009

Coffman Cove

Alaska

Wrangell Petersburg County

No

32621

Alaska State Troopers

Anchorage

Alaska

Anchorage Borough

99507

Malia Miller

Missing Persons Clearinghouse Manager

5700 East Tudor Road, Alaska

9072695511

State

Law Enforcement

090055547

2009-06-29

Alaska State Troopers

10387

Brown

Blue

Blue

No

07/20/2026