Daylon Tall Missing Person Case

Mar 17, 2020

Mar 18, 2024

Daylon

Tall

35

16

68 inches

170 lbs

American Indian / Alaska Native

Male

In the late evening of September 9, 2005, a tragic event unfolded in the Bering Sea near Hooper Bay, Alaska, leading to the disappearance of 16-year-old Daylon Tall. Daylon, along with two of his friends, 15-year-old Joseph Tomaganuk and 15-year-old Clara Wilson, was in a canoe near the mouth of a local slough. Witnesses reported that the three teenagers were playing in the canoe when a strong current pulled them into the surf of the Bering Sea. The weather conditions were poor, with strong winds creating a dangerous environment on the water. The canoe was struck by one wave, turning it sideways, and then a second wave overturned the vessel, throwing all three teens into the turbulent water. According to Alaska State Troopers, none of the teenagers were wearing a life jacket. A fourth teenager who had been with them had reportedly jumped out of the canoe just before it was swept away, feeling it was unsafe. Tragically, the body of Clara Wilson was recovered from the water early the following morning. Despite search and rescue efforts by Hooper Bay police and local crews, Daylon Tall and Joseph Tomaganuk were not found. The search for the two missing boys was hampered by gale-force winds in the days following the accident, which prevented boats from going out. Search parties, consisting of dozens of people from Hooper Bay and the nearby community of Chevak, were organized to walk the beaches in the hopes of finding them. The community was deeply affected by the loss, with grief counselors being brought into the village to support the families and residents. The incident remains a painful memory for the community, highlighting the unforgiving nature of the sea. The case is an overview of a presumed drowning where extensive search efforts were ultimately unsuccessful in locating the two missing boys.

Sep 09, 2005

Bethel

Alaska

Bethel Census Area

No

77461

Alaska State Troopers

Anchorage

Alaska

Anchorage Borough

99507

Malia Miller

Missing Persons Clearinghouse Manager

5700 East Tudor Road, Alaska

9072695511

State

Law Enforcement

050076192

2005-09-09

Alaska State Troopers

Black

Brown

Brown

07/07/2026