In the remote coastal community of Cordova, Alaska, 63-year-old Norman Kassahn and his wife, Melody, lived a subsistence lifestyle at their home at Big Point. The couple was last in contact with family on March 8, 2008. Concern grew when relatives were unable to reach Norman on his birthday on March 23rd and were met with a full answering machine. This prompted Melody's brother to visit their home, where he found no smoke coming from the chimney and the couple's skiff missing. Inside the home, the couple's dog and cat were discovered, hungry and in need of care. The last known clothing Norman was wearing included a blue Stormy Seas float coat, green rain gear, and size 10 Xtratuf boots.
The search for the missing couple began after family members reported them missing to the Alaska State Troopers. During their own search on the way back to Cordova, family members discovered the couple's skiff. The boat was found on a mud flat in Hartney Bay, about half a mile from the shore, and it appeared to have rolled over in the water. An official search was launched by the Alaska State Troopers, which included a helicopter scouring Hartney Bay and the southern shoreline of Hawkins Island. The search of the water did not locate Norman or Melody, but some of their belongings were found in Canoe Passage, near the northern end of Hawkins Island. These items included life jackets, survival gear, Melody's purse, and a backpack containing their mail.
It is believed that on the day they were last seen, Norman and Melody left Cordova in their skiff at high tide. Strong winds were reported in the area at that time, which may have caused their boat to capsize. Both Norman and his wife are presumed to have drowned, but their bodies have never been recovered. The circumstances surrounding their disappearance point to a tragic boating accident in the often-treacherous Alaskan waters. The discovery of their overturned skiff and personal effects adrift paints a somber picture of their final moments. The case remains a painful mystery for their loved ones, a testament to the unforgiving nature of the sea and the enduring grief of those left behind.
Last Seen: Mar 8, 2008
