On a winter morning in Wasilla, Alaska, the routine of a typical day was disrupted for the family of James Edward Badgley. The 14-year-old boy was last seen on January 18, 2025, at approximately 10:00 AM at the local Krispy Kreme. At the time of his disappearance, James, an American Indian / Alaska Native male with brown hair and brown eyes, stood at five feet ten inches tall and weighed around 180 pounds. He was wearing a distinctive black hoodie that had 'Alaska' written in red on the back, accompanied by a white outline of the state. He also had on a pair of dark blue jeans with a noticeable rip on the left leg just above the knee, and a pair of black Hey Dude shoes with white soles. His sudden vanishing prompted an immediate response and a period of anxious uncertainty.
Following his disappearance, a missing person report was filed with the Wasilla Police Department, which took the lead on the investigation under case number 250000111.
The Alaska State Troopers Missing Persons Clearinghouse also became involved, assisting in the efforts to locate the missing teenager. As law enforcement agencies worked to piece together the circumstances surrounding James's disappearance, details available to the public were limited to his physical description and the clothes he was last seen wearing. The lack of specific information regarding the events leading up to him going missing left his community and loved ones hoping for his safe return while the official search and investigation continued.
Fortunately, this distressing case has been resolved, as James Badgley has been located and is alive. His recovery meant that the active missing persons case could be closed by the authorities. The specific details surrounding his discovery, including the exact date and circumstances of his return, have not been publicly disclosed. An overview of the case reflects a period of profound concern that began when a 14-year-old boy went missing from a public establishment in Wasilla, Alaska, triggering a law enforcement investigation. The case ultimately concluded with the positive and welcome news that James was found safe.Last Seen: Jan 18, 2025