Michael Roberts Missing Person Case

Nov 29, 2018

Jan 12, 2024

Michael

Roberts

74

46

69 inches

185 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

In the tight-knit fishing community of Cordova, Alaska, the summer of 1998 brought with it a profound sense of loss that has lingered for decades. On a June day, 46-year-old Michael John Roberts, a resident known to many as Mike, set out on the waters that were both his livelihood and his passion. He was the sole occupant of his 26-foot gillnetter, the F/V 'Pearl,' a vessel familiar in the local fishing grounds. On June 9, 1998, near Grass Island Bar on the Copper River Delta, the unthinkable happened when the 'Pearl' capsized, taking Michael with it into the cold Alaskan waters. The incident marked the last time anyone would see or hear from the experienced fisherman. The news of the capsized vessel prompted an immediate and thorough search of the area. The Alaska State Troopers, along with others, scoured the waters near Grass Island Bar, hoping to find any sign of Michael. Despite their extensive efforts, the search yielded no results, and Michael Roberts was never found. The F/V 'Pearl,' his salmon fishing vessel, was also lost to the sea. The lack of any recovery left his family, friends, and the entire Cordova community with a painful absence and a void of unanswered questions. The disappearance of Michael Roberts is one of many tragedies that highlight the perilous nature of commercial fishing in Alaska. His case is officially documented by the Alaska State Troopers, with a report filed three days after the incident. Details in his missing person file note that he was a white male with brown hair and blue eyes, and had a scar on his right shoulder. In Alaska, missing persons cases remain open until they are resolved, a policy that offers a sliver of hope to families, even as years turn into decades. The case of Michael Roberts serves as a somber reminder of the unforgiving power of the sea and the enduring grief that follows when a loved one is lost to its depths.

Jun 09, 1998

Cordova

Alaska

Valdez–Cordova Census Area

No

42033

Alaska State Troopers

Anchorage

Alaska

Anchorage Borough

99507

Malia Miller

Missing Persons Clearinghouse Manager

5700 East Tudor Road, Alaska

9072695511

State

Law Enforcement

980038025

1998-06-12

Alaska State Troopers

10502

Brown

Blue

Blue

07/22/2026