Michael Moran Missing Person Case

Mar 17, 2020

May 15, 2024

Michael

Moran

58

35

67 inches

150 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

In the unforgiving environment of the Alaskan seafood industry, the story of Michael Allen Moran serves as a somber reminder of the perils faced by fishermen. On November 4, 2002, Moran, a 35-year-old male, was working as a fisherman aboard the vessel Western Queen in the Bering Sea. The boat was navigating the treacherous waters approximately 15 miles southeast of St. George Island when a catastrophic accident occurred. Michael was tragically pulled overboard by the fishing gear, a sudden and violent event that left little chance for survival in the icy sea. His disappearance was reported out of Dillingham, Alaska, a significant hub for the state's fishing fleet. The immediate aftermath of the incident was a frantic but ultimately fruitless search for Michael. The crew of the Western Queen and likely other nearby vessels would have sprung into action, but the vastness of the Bering Sea and its notoriously harsh conditions would have made locating him an almost impossible task. The Alaska State Troopers were notified of the event and opened a case, but the circumstances pointed to a tragic maritime accident rather than a mysterious disappearance. Michael was last seen wearing a sweatshirt and rain pants, clothing wholly inadequate to protect against the frigid temperatures of the water. The official consensus from the outset was that he had been lost to the sea, presumed to have drowned almost immediately following the accident. The case of Michael Allen Moran is a story of a life cut short by the inherent dangers of his profession. He was a man with a distinct physical presence, noted for having brown hair and brown eyes, a height of five feet, seven inches, and a weight of 150 pounds. He also had several identifying tattoos and scars. Despite these details, the unforgiving nature of the Bering Sea meant that his body was never recovered, leaving his family and friends without the closure of a final farewell. The official investigation concluded that his disappearance was the result of being pulled overboard by fishing gear, leading to his presumed drowning. The incident remains a heartbreaking example of the risks faced by those who work in one of Alaska's most vital yet dangerous industries, and a permanent, sorrowful memory for the loved ones he left behind.

Nov 04, 2002

Dillingham

Alaska

Dillingham Census Area

No

77364

Alaska State Troopers

Anchorage

Alaska

Anchorage Borough

99507

Malia Miller

Missing Persons Clearinghouse Manager

5700 East Tudor Road, Alaska

9072695511

State

Law Enforcement

020079502

2002-11-04

Alaska State Troopers

8684

Brown

Brown

Brown

07/25/2026