On a summer day in June of 2017, a 21-year-old man named Francis Lee Allen Charles was at a fish camp at Eek Point, Alaska, with plans to return to his home in Hydaburg. He set out in his eighteen-foot skiff for the journey. Francis, an American Indian / Alaska Native male with brown hair and brown eyes, was last seen at noon on June 22, 2017. At the time of his departure, it is believed he was wearing a dark-colored sweater, tan chest waders, and possibly a blue float coat.
The trip from Eek Point to Hydaburg would have taken him across the waters of the Alaskan coast, a familiar journey for many in the region.
Later that same day, at approximately 6:00 p.m., Francis's skiff was discovered unoccupied on California Island, located about five and a half miles southeast of his destination of Hydaburg. This discovery sparked immediate concern and initiated a comprehensive search effort for the missing man. Search and rescue personnel, including the Coast Guard, deployed a helicopter and two cutters to scour the area. During their search, they found some of Francis's belongings. His tan chest waders, a black jacket, and one of his gray SIMMS boots were located approximately one nautical mile south of where his empty boat had been found. Despite these findings, there was no other trace of Francis.
The intensive search for Francis Charles covered more than 180 square miles of water and coastline over a period of more than 40 hours. Multiple search and rescue boats were involved, all hoping to find any sign of the young man. The Alaska State Troopers opened an investigation into his disappearance, documenting the circumstances and the items that were recovered. Tragically, the extensive search efforts did not lead to Francis being found, and he has not been seen or heard from since. The official search was eventually suspended, leaving his family and community with unanswered questions. The case remains a somber reminder of the perils of the sea, with Francis being presumed to have been lost in a mishap at sea.Last Seen: Jun 22, 2017
