Mary Wilson Missing Person Case

Jul 18, 2022

Jan 12, 2024

Mary

Wilson

71

69

58 inches

160 lbs

White / Caucasian

Female

In the summer of 2022, a heart-wrenching mystery began to unfold in the rugged wilderness of Alaska. Mary Dawn Wilson, a 69-year-old woman, was last seen on the morning of July 12th at a friend's residence near Healy, Alaska. She had agreed to care for a two-year-old child, who belonged to a close friend, for a few days. At some point after leaving her friend's home, Mary and the young child she was watching headed down the remote and challenging Stampede Trail, a path known for its connection to the "Into the Wild" story. The reasons for her journey down this trail remain unknown, adding a layer of complexity to her sudden and perplexing disappearance. The situation took a concerning turn in the early hours of July 14, 2022, when Alaska State Troopers received a report of an abandoned vehicle. Approximately 6.8 miles down the Stampede Trail, they discovered Mary's Ford Focus stuck. Inside the locked car was the two-year-old child, who had been alone for an estimated two days but was thankfully found in good health. A mile further down the trail from the vehicle, at the 7.8-mile mark, searchers found some of Mary's personal belongings. Authorities theorize that after her car became stuck, Mary left the child safely in the vehicle and began walking deeper into the wilderness, away from the Parks Highway, presumably to find help. An extensive search and rescue operation was immediately launched. The multi-day effort involved numerous agencies and volunteers, including the Alaska State Troopers, military personnel, search dogs, and the use of ATVs, drones, and helicopters. Despite the thorough search of the isolated area near Denali National Park and Preserve, no further trace of Mary Wilson was found. The lack of new evidence or clues eventually led officials to transition from an active search to a reactive one, meaning they would only resume searching if new information came to light. The overview of this case is one of profound mystery and concern; a woman vanishes while seemingly seeking help after her vehicle gets stranded in a remote location, leaving behind a young child who was mercifully found safe. The exact details of what transpired after she left her car remain unknown, and her case is still unsolved.

Jul 12, 2022

Healy

Alaska

Denali Borough

No

117155

Alaska State Troopers

Anchorage

Alaska

Anchorage Borough

99507

Malia Miller

Missing Persons Clearinghouse Manager

5700 East Tudor Road, Alaska

9072695511

State

Law Enforcement

AK22071518

2022-07-14

Alaska State Troopers

3980

Gray or Partially Gray

Blue

Blue

No

06/28/2026