In the summer of 2022, a 44-year-old man named Shane Alan VanOrden vanished from the remote Prince of Wales Island in Alaska. He was last seen around late June or early July near the small community of Thorne Bay. At the time of his disappearance, it was believed that Shane, a resident of Ketchikan since 2005, intended to hitchhike to the nearby town of Craig.
Standing at 5'11' and weighing approximately 180 pounds, with black hair often in a ponytail, a close-cropped beard, and brown eyes, his sudden absence would not be officially noted for several months.
The official investigation into Shane's whereabouts began on September 9, 2022, when his ex-girlfriend requested a welfare check. After troopers were unable to locate him, a missing persons alert was issued by the Alaska State Troopers on October 26 of that year. In the course of their inquiries, investigators learned that a storage unit belonging to Shane had been auctioned off, adding another layer of complexity to the case. Despite numerous reported sightings, none have been substantiated, leaving both law enforcement and his loved ones without answers.
The search for Shane VanOrden has been a challenging one, compounded by the rugged and sparsely populated terrain of Prince of Wales Island. While foul play is not currently suspected, authorities have been coordinating with various agencies to gather more information. A distinctive physical characteristic, a bright red, strawberry-shaped birthmark on his chest near his heart, was released in the hopes it might aid in his identification. The case remains a poignant example of the many individuals who go missing in Alaska each year, leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions and a community hoping for a resolution.Last Seen: Jun 30, 2022
