In the remote coastal community of Quinhagak, Alaska, a sense of unease settled over the residents in October of 2020. On October 20th, 34-year-old Male Wilson Wassillie, also known as Willie, along with six other individuals, disappeared while traveling by boat. The group also included Chad Chadwick Sr., Neal Gutleben, Alexie Nose Jr., Michael Sharp, Bernice Waska, and Elizabeth Wassillie. Their journey began on October 17, when some of the group departed from Quinhagak in a 22-foot welded aluminum boat, intending to go seal hunting. They traveled to the nearby community of Bethel, where they picked up the remaining members of their party. The group of seven was last seen on October 20, near the mouth of the Eek River after stopping in the village of Eek for gasoline.
The day after the group was last seen, Alaska State Troopers in Bethel received a report of the overdue boaters, and a search was promptly initiated. The search efforts involved multiple agencies and volunteers from several communities, including Quinhagak, Eek, Kongiganak, and Platinum, with support from Bethel Search and Rescue. For four days, the U.S. Coast Guard and the Alaska State Troopers scoured the waters around Nunivak Island and the western coast of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta region. The search was hampered by challenging weather conditions, including high winds and increasingly cold temperatures, which eventually led to the formation of ice on the river. Despite the extensive efforts by air and water, searchers found no sign of the missing boat or its seven occupants. Some potential debris was located, including gas tanks, a bucket, a glove, and a personal flotation device, but it was not confirmed if these items belonged to the missing party.
The official search by the Coast Guard was suspended on October 27, 2020, and local efforts were paused shortly after due to the deteriorating weather, with the understanding that they could resume if new evidence emerged. The disappearance of seven people at once left a profound impact on the close-knit communities of the region. The lack of any definitive evidence or wreckage has made it difficult for family members to find closure. The case remains an open investigation, a painful mystery for the families of Wilson Wassillie and his six companions. The prevailing theory is that their boat may have capsized, but without any wreckage or remains found, their exact fate is unknown. The community continues to hold out hope, while grappling with the significant loss and the lingering uncertainty surrounding the events of that autumn day.
Last Seen: Oct 20, 2020
