In the coastal community of Brigantine, New Jersey, the disappearance of 17-year-old Robert Alexander cast a long shadow over the Thanksgiving holiday of 1962. On November 22nd, the young man, an avid duck hunter, set out into the rough weather in his seven-foot 'pond box' boat. He was last seen dressed in olive-drab foul weather gear, prepared for the challenging conditions.
Concern grew when he failed to return, and it was reported that he had been experiencing trouble with the boat's motor, although it had recently been repaired. A bayman later reported seeing a boat matching the description of Robert's heading along Weakfish Creek towards Brigantine Bay earlier in the day.
The days that followed were filled with an intensive search effort that spanned land, air, and sea. Despite the thorough search of the Steelman's Bay area and surrounding waters, no trace of Robert or his small boat was ever found. The difficult weather conditions at the time of his disappearance led the sheriff to surmise that both the teenager and his vessel were likely washed out to sea, a heartbreaking conclusion for a community holding out hope for his safe return. The lack of any physical evidence or subsequent leads left his family and the local authorities with a painful and unresolved mystery.
Robert Allen Alexander was described as a white male with black hair, standing at 5'10' and weighing approximately 150 pounds with a medium to slender build. He was known to have taken his hunting rifle with him on his excursion. The case of Robert Alexander remains an enduring mystery in Atlantic County, a poignant example of the unforgiving power of the sea and a somber reminder of a young life that vanished without a definitive answer. The Brigantine Police Department continues to hold the case file for the young man who went out on a hunting trip and never came home.Last Seen: Nov 22, 1962
