In the autumn of 1974, a boating trip on a remote Alaskan lake took a tragic turn, leaving two men missing and their families searching for answers for decades to come. On October 4, 1974, 29-year-old Charles E. Wellner was on an aluminum boat with Michael Pomeroy on Hidden Lake, located in the Kenai Peninsula Borough near Soldotna, Alaska. The events of that day are not entirely clear, but at some point, the small vessel capsized in the cold waters of the lake. Charles, who was also known as Chuck, was an Asian male, stood at 5 feet 7 inches tall, and weighed between 140 and 170 pounds. He had black hair and brown eyes and wore contact lenses. At the time of his disappearance, he was believed to be wearing jeans, a knit shirt, and rubber boots.
Following the capsizing of the boat, neither Charles Wellner nor Michael Pomeroy were seen again. The vast and often treacherous Alaskan wilderness likely hampered immediate and extensive search efforts. The remoteness of Hidden Lake and the cold temperatures of the water would have presented significant challenges to any rescue or recovery operation. The official investigation into their disappearances was handled by the Alaska State Troopers. Over the years, the hope of finding them alive faded, and they are now presumed to have drowned in the lake on that fateful October day.
The case of Charles Wellner and Michael Pomeroy is one of many long-standing missing person cases in the state of Alaska. For their families, the lack of closure has been an enduring source of pain. The official circumstances of their disappearance point to a tragic accident, a boat capsizing on Hidden Lake. Despite the passage of time, their cases remain open, a somber reminder of the unforgiving nature of the Alaskan frontier and the lasting impact of their loss on those they left behind.
Last Seen: Oct 4, 1974
