Gilbert Kilbuck Missing Person Case

Mar 17, 2020

Oct 06, 2023

Gilbert

Kilbuck

50

37

81 inches

150 lbs

American Indian / Alaska Native

Male

In the remote coastal village of Goodnews Bay, Alaska, a sense of community is deeply woven into the fabric of daily life. It was here that 37-year-old Gilbert "Mully" Ronald Kilbuck, an American Indian/Alaska Native man, was a familiar and cherished member. On July 4, 2011, a day typically marked by celebration, a pall of worry descended upon the small community. Gilbert was out fishing in the Goodnews Bay channel, a routine activity for many in the region, when he tragically fell from his boat into the frigid waters. He was last seen wearing a green rubberized raincoat and pants, brown rubber boots, and a red Evinrude baseball hat. Notably, he was not wearing a personal flotation device. The suddenness of the event left his friends, family, and the entire community in a state of shock and disbelief. The news of Gilbert's disappearance prompted an immediate and extensive search effort. The tight-knit community of Goodnews Bay, along with the Alaska State Troopers, mobilized to scour the channel and surrounding areas. The hope was to find Gilbert alive, to bring him back to the warmth and safety of his home. Despite the challenging conditions of the Alaskan waters and the vastness of the landscape, the search was carried out with unwavering determination. Days turned into a week, and the search continued, a testament to the community's refusal to give up on one of their own. However, as time stretched on, the initial hope began to fade, replaced by a growing sense of despair. The search efforts, though valiant, were ultimately unable to locate him. The disappearance of Gilbert Kilbuck left an indelible mark on the community of Goodnews Bay. His absence is a profound loss, a void that cannot be filled. The circumstances of his disappearance, a sudden and unforeseen accident during a routine activity, serve as a stark reminder of the unforgiving nature of the sea. The case remains open, a painful and unresolved chapter in the lives of his loved ones. The overview of the case is a story of a man lost to the very waters that sustained his community. It is a story of a community's desperate search and their enduring hope, a hope that has now transitioned into a somber remembrance of a life lost too soon.

Jul 04, 2011

Goodnews Bay

Alaska

Bethel Census Area

No

77402

Alaska State Troopers

Anchorage

Alaska

Anchorage Borough

99507

Malia Miller

Missing Persons Clearinghouse Manager

5700 East Tudor Road, Alaska

9072695511

State

Law Enforcement

110063107

2011-07-04

Alaska State Troopers

Black

Brown

Brown

07/03/2026