Colin Buness Missing Person Case

Mar 17, 2020

Sep 26, 2023

Colin

Buness

37

25

72 inches

185 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

In the early summer of 2012, a 25-year-old man named Colin Buness, known for his adventurous spirit, embarked on a solo kayaking and hiking trip in the vast wilderness of Southeast Alaska. Originally from the Ketchikan area, Colin was both a student at the University of Alaska Anchorage and a Sergeant in the Army National Guard. His journey was to take him down the Kikahe and Stikine Rivers, a challenging and remote route even for an experienced outdoorsman. He began his expedition on June 19, 2012, equipped with a SPOT GPS locator to track his progress. For several days, the device sent out signals as expected, marking his passage through the rugged landscape. His last check-in came on the morning of June 22, 2012, after which the transmissions ceased, leaving his exact location unknown. Concern grew when Colin failed to return or make further contact. An alarm was raised, and search efforts were initiated. The search was extensive, covering the difficult terrain where he was last known to be. Eventually, searchers made a heartbreaking discovery. They located Colin's pack and his overturned raft. In the upper portion of the West Forks Katete River area, other items belonging to him were also found. The evidence strongly suggested that Colin's raft had capsized in the challenging river waters, leading to his disappearance. The official search was conducted through the end of June, but despite the determined efforts of search and rescue teams, Colin was not located. The disappearance of Colin Buness, a bright and energetic young man with a deep love for adventure, was a profound loss to his family, friends, and the university community. Those who knew him remembered his passion for the outdoors, from running 100-mile winter races to canoeing the Inside Passage. In the weeks following his disappearance, the community mourned. By early July 2012, the local newspaper in Wrangell published an obituary for him, acknowledging the grim reality that he was presumed to have perished in the wilderness he so loved. The case stands as a somber reminder of the unforgiving nature of the Alaskan backcountry; it is the story of a skilled and spirited adventurer who set out on a solo journey and was tragically lost to the powerful forces of the wild, leaving behind only scattered belongings and the memory of a life lived with passion.

Jun 22, 2012

Ketchikan

Alaska

Ketchikan Gateway Borough

No

77639

Alaska State Troopers

Anchorage

Alaska

Anchorage Borough

99507

Malia Miller

Missing Persons Clearinghouse Manager

5700 East Tudor Road, Alaska

9072695511

State

Law Enforcement

AK12215044

2012-06-29

Alaska State Troopers

na

Brown

Blue

Blue

07/08/2026