On a spring day in April of 1984, 27-year-old Lynn Moffat Kassler set out for a day of crab fishing on the lower Columbia River in Astoria, Oregon. He was not alone; accompanying him were Deon Young and Kenneth Cutcher. The trio ventured onto the water in a 17-foot wooden dory, anticipating a successful outing. However, the day took a tragic turn, and neither Kassler, Young, nor Cutcher, nor their boat, were ever seen again.
The last known contact with Lynn Kassler was on April 2, 1984, a date that marks the beginning of a long and painful mystery for their families and the community.
The disappearance of the three individuals sparked immediate concern, and as hours turned into days, the lack of any sign of them or their vessel deepened the mystery. The vast and powerful Columbia River, known for its challenging currents and unpredictable conditions, held the secrets of their fate. The circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the wooden dory remain unknown, with no distress calls or witnesses to shed light on what might have transpired on the water that day. The absence of debris or any wreckage from the boat only added to the baffling nature of the case, leaving investigators with few clues to follow.
Years have passed since Lynn Kassler, Deon Young, and Kenneth Cutcher vanished, and their case remains an unresolved and sorrowful chapter in the history of Astoria. The official investigation, led by the Oregon State Police, has been unable to provide definitive answers to the many questions that linger. The lack of evidence has made it impossible to determine whether the dory capsized due to rough waters, was involved in a collision, or met with some other unforeseen calamity. The case serves as a somber reminder of the unforgiving power of the river and the profound and lasting impact of such an unresolved loss on families and a close-knit community. The disappearance of Lynn Moffat Kassler and his companions is a story of a day that began with the simple pleasure of fishing and ended in an enduring mystery that continues to haunt the waters of the Columbia River.Last Seen: Apr 2, 1984
