Barry Yocom Missing Person Case

Jul 14, 2020

Nov 03, 2023

Barry

Yocom

72

68

69 inches

225 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

In the summer of 2020, 68-year-old Barry Lowell Yocom, a resident of Wasilla, Alaska, traveled to the remote area of Chitina, a place known for its rugged beauty and the powerful Copper River. On the evening of July 8th, he was attempting to cross O'Brien Creek in his amphibious, all-terrain Argo vehicle. This was a route familiar to him, one he had navigated many times before. However, on this particular day, the creek's water level was higher and the current stronger than he anticipated. The force of the water proved too much for the Argo, and it was swept from the creek bed into the turbulent waters of the Copper River. In a desperate attempt to save himself, Barry jumped from the vehicle, trying to swim to the safety of the shore, but he tragically never made it. Immediate search and rescue efforts were launched by the Alaska State Troopers. They scoured the area by air and utilized local jet boat charters to search the swift currents of the Copper River. The search teams were able to recover some items that had been in Barry's Argo, but there was no sign of him. The challenging conditions of the fast-flowing and murky river hampered the search. The Copper River is notoriously dangerous, and over the years, has been the site of numerous tragedies. After an extensive search yielded no results, the active search for Barry was eventually called off. The disappearance of Barry Yocom serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the unforgiving power of nature in the Alaskan wilderness. A friend noted that what can be a safe passage one day can become perilous the next, entirely dependent on the whims of Mother Nature. The incident highlighted the dangers of crossing waterways in the region, particularly during periods of high water. A bridge near where Barry attempted to cross was too narrow for his Argo, a consequence of a decision made years prior to install a smaller bridge after a flood. This case remains a somber event for the community and a painful loss for his loved ones, his body never having been recovered from the wild and mighty Copper River.

Jul 08, 2020

Chitina

Alaska

Valdez–Cordova Census Area

No

87692

Alaska State Troopers

Anchorage

Alaska

Anchorage Borough

99507

Malia Miller

Missing Persons Clearinghouse Manager

5700 East Tudor Road, Alaska

9072695511

State

Law Enforcement

AK20046570

2020-07-08

Alaska State Troopers

na

Gray or Partially Gray

Hazel

Hazel

07/03/2026