Latroye Williams Missing Person Case

Mar 17, 2020

Feb 05, 2024

Latroye

Williams

45

34

68 inches

192 lbs

Black / African American

Male

On a fall day in 2012, 34-year-old Latroye Lamont Williams was working as a crew member aboard the commercial fishing vessel, the F/V Flying Ocean. The vessel was navigating the often-treacherous waters of the Shelikof Strait, a significant and sometimes formidable body of water separating Kodiak Island from the Alaskan mainland. The crew was in the process of deploying fishing pots, a routine yet physically demanding task in the commercial fishing industry. The specific location was near Cape Ikolik, southwest of Karluk, Alaska. It was during this operation that a tragic and unforeseen accident occurred, forever altering the course of Latroye’s life and leaving his family and friends with unanswered questions. The events unfolded rapidly and with little warning. As the crew worked to set the heavy pots into the sea, Latroye's right ankle became entangled in a coiled line. Before he or anyone else could react, the weight and momentum of the deploying pot pulled him from the deck of the Flying Ocean and into the cold, unforgiving waters of the strait. His fellow crew members, witnessing the horrific event, immediately sprang into action. They attempted to throw a life ring to him and quickly deployed buoys to mark the location where he had gone overboard. Despite their swift response and desperate efforts, Latroye disappeared beneath the surface of the water. In the aftermath of the accident, extensive search and rescue operations were launched in the area where Latroye was last seen. The crew of the F/V Flying Ocean, along with other vessels and official search parties, scoured the waters of the Shelikof Strait. The hope was to locate and rescue him, but the vastness and challenging conditions of the strait made the search exceedingly difficult. The Shelikof Strait is known for its strong winds, heavy currents, and significant daily tides, which can make any search and recovery effort a monumental challenge. Despite the determined and exhaustive searches, no trace of Latroye Williams was ever found. The incident serves as a somber reminder of the inherent dangers faced by those who make their living on the sea, and the case remains a painful and unresolved chapter for all who knew him.

Oct 11, 2012

Karluk

Alaska

Kodiak Island Borough

No

77689

Alaska State Troopers

Anchorage

Alaska

Anchorage Borough

99507

Malia Miller

Missing Persons Clearinghouse Manager

5700 East Tudor Road, Alaska

9072695511

State

Law Enforcement

AK12242136

2012-10-11

Alaska State Troopers

na

Black

Brown

Brown

06/29/2026