In October 2025, the small, remote coastal village of Kwigillingok, Alaska, was devastated by the immense power of Typhoon Halong, which had transitioned into a powerful extratropical cyclone as it tore through the region. The storm brought with it record-breaking water levels and a storm surge that caused catastrophic flooding, lifting homes from their foundations and, in some cases, sweeping them away entirely.
Among the residents of this close-knit community was 71-year-old Vernon Pavil, an Alaska Native man who was in his home with family members when the storm hit on October 12, 2025. The house he was in with his sister, 67-year-old Ella Mae Kashatok, and his nephew, 41-year-old Chester Kashatok, was carried away by the floodwaters. In the chaos that ensued, Vernon Pavil and Chester Kashatok were reported missing.
The immediate aftermath of the storm was a scene of 'absolute devastation,' with widespread damage to homes and critical infrastructure. Search and rescue operations were launched by the Alaska State Troopers, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Alaska Army and Air National Guard, who scoured the area by boat and air. Tragically, the body of Ella Mae Kashatok was discovered inside the displaced home which had washed up on a riverbank. The active search for Vernon Pavil and Chester Kashatok continued with the use of drones, boats, and aircraft, but was eventually called off after a robust and extensive effort yielded no new leads. The community and the families of the missing were left to grapple with the immense loss and the uncertainty of their loved ones' whereabouts.
Months later, in June 2026, a measure of closure came for the Kashatok family when adult male human remains were found near Kwigillingok. These remains were later positively identified as belonging to Chester Kashatok. However, Vernon Pavil remains missing, his disappearance a painful and unresolved chapter in the tragic story of Typhoon Halong's impact on Kwigillingok. The case stands as a heartbreaking reminder of the storm's human toll on the small Alaskan village. Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Vernon Pavil is encouraged to contact the Alaska State Troopers. The overview of this case reveals a family torn apart by a natural disaster, with one member found deceased, another's remains recovered months later, and an elderly man who is still missing, leaving his family and community with lingering questions and a profound sense of loss.Last Seen: Oct 12, 2025
