Alexie Nose Missing Person Case

Nov 18, 2020

Feb 23, 2024

Alexie

Nose

41

36

63 inches

120 lbs

American Indian / Alaska Native

Male

In the autumn of 2020, a sense of unease settled over the community of Quinhagak, Alaska, when a group of seven individuals embarked on a seal hunting trip and never returned. Among them was 36-year-old Alexie Nose, who, along with Chad Chadwick, Neal Gutleben, Michael Sharp, Bernice Waska, Elizabeth Wassillie, and Wilson Wassillie, was last seen on October 20, 2020. The group had set out in a 20-foot aluminum skiff, their journey taking them from Quinhagak to Bethel to pick up additional members before heading out for the hunt. Their last known location was near the mouth of the Eek River on Eek Island, a place familiar to the local hunters and boaters. Concern grew when the party failed to return as expected, and on October 21, 2020, they were officially reported as overdue to the Alaska State Troopers. An extensive search and rescue operation was launched in the days that followed. The effort involved local searchers from Quinhagak and Eek, Bethel Search and Rescue, the Alaska State Troopers, and the U.S. Coast Guard. Search parties in boats scoured the Eek River and the coastline, while aircraft, including a DPS Cessna Caravan and a USCG C-130, surveyed the vast expanse of Kuskokwim Bay. Despite their exhaustive efforts, no sign of the missing individuals or their boat was found. The search was further complicated by the onset of cold weather, with dropping temperatures and the formation of ice on the water, creating hazardous conditions for the search teams. The official search by the Coast Guard and State Troopers was suspended after four days, though local efforts continued, fueled by the hope of finding their missing community members. As weeks turned into months, the hope of finding the seven boaters alive began to fade. The search was officially put on hold indefinitely at the end of October 2020 due to the increasingly dangerous weather conditions, with the intention of resuming in the spring if new evidence emerged. Some debris was found during the initial search, including gas tanks, a bucket, a glove, and a personal flotation device, but it could not be confirmed if these items belonged to the missing party. The disappearance of Alexie Nose and his six companions has left a profound void in their community. The prevailing belief is that they encountered a tragic accident and drowned, though without any definitive evidence, their fate remains a painful uncertainty for their families and friends. The case stands as a somber reminder of the unforgiving nature of the Alaskan wilderness and the deep sense of loss that accompanies unresolved disappearances.

Oct 20, 2020

Quinhagak

Alaska

Bethel Census Area

No

95334

Alaska State Troopers

Anchorage

Alaska

Anchorage Borough

99507

Malia Miller

Missing Persons Clearinghouse Manager

5700 East Tudor Road, Alaska

9072695511

State

Law Enforcement

AK20078884

2020-10-21

Alaska State Troopers

6864

Black

Brown

Brown

07/28/2026