Ward Kakonna Olanna Missing Person Case

Jan 24, 2026

Jan 24, 2026

Ward

Kakonna Olanna

98

57

Unknown inches

Native American

Male

In the vast and often unforgiving landscape of Alaska, the story of Male Ward Kakonna Olanna is a somber tale of a life interrupted. A Native American male with black hair and brown eyes, Olanna was 57 years old when he was last seen in Nome, Alaska, on August 18, 1984. Though he was seen in the regional hub of Nome, his home was in Brevig Mission, a small village situated about sixty miles to the north. Little is publicly known about his height and weight, but his connection to his home and community was a given. His disappearance that late summer day marked the beginning of a long and painful chapter for those who knew him, a chapter that would unfortunately end without his safe return. The circumstances surrounding Olanna's disappearance quickly pointed towards a grim conclusion. He was never heard from again after August 18, 1984. The investigation into his whereabouts soon focused on Reuben S. Rock, another resident of Brevig Mission, who was the last person known to have been with Olanna. Less than a month after Olanna vanished, on September 10, Rock was charged with first-degree murder in connection to the case. Prosecutors believed that an argument between the two men escalated tragically, leading to Rock stabbing Olanna in the chest. Despite the criminal proceedings that followed, a crucial piece of the puzzle has always been missing: Olanna's remains have never been located. Reuben S. Rock was ultimately convicted of second-degree murder, bringing a form of legal closure to the case. However, for Olanna's family and community, the inability to lay him to rest leaves a wound that may never fully heal. The case is a stark reminder of the dangers of interpersonal violence and the enduring pain it can cause. While one man was held accountable for the tragic outcome, the full story of Ward Kakonna Olanna's final moments remains lost to the Alaskan wilderness, his case classified as an endangered missing person with suspected foul play.

Aug 18, 1984

Nome

Alaska

Nome

Nome Police Departmen

907-443-5262

07/20/2026