Jerry Stephens Missing Person Case

Mar 17, 2020

May 20, 2024

Jerry

Stephens

66

43

72 inches

180 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

In the vast and unforgiving waters of the Bering Sea, 43-year-old Jerry L. Stephens, an experienced fisherman and first mate, was aboard the fishing vessel Galaxy on October 20, 2002. The 180-foot vessel was operating approximately 30 miles southwest of St. Paul Island, Alaska, when a catastrophic series of events began to unfold. What started as the detection of smoke quickly escalated into a raging fire and a series of powerful explosions that rocked the ship, ultimately leading to its sinking and the disappearance of Jerry Stephens. He, along with the rest of the 26-person crew, was suddenly thrust into a desperate fight for survival amidst the treacherous elements of the Alaskan sea. The chaos aboard the Galaxy happened with terrifying speed. Following the discovery of smoke pouring from an engine room hatch, a massive back-draft explosion occurred. This blast was so violent it blew Jerry Stephens and other members of a fire team through a hatch and into the icy waters of the Bering Sea. While some of his shipmates were pulled back aboard, Jerry was lost to the tumultuous waves. The remaining crew were forced to abandon the rapidly sinking vessel, many having to jump into the frigid water without survival suits. Rescue efforts were launched immediately, with the U.S. Coast Guard and several Good Samaritan vessels battling harsh weather conditions, including winds up to 55 mph and 20-foot seas, to search for survivors. Despite their valiant efforts, the search for Jerry was ultimately unsuccessful. The incident on the Galaxy was a profound tragedy, resulting in the loss of three crew members' lives, including Jerry Stephens, and injuries to several others. A subsequent investigation by the Coast Guard concluded that the explosion was likely caused by a back-draft when hatches were opened before a fire suppression system could be activated. The initial fire's cause was not definitively determined but was thought to have started in a generator. The harrowing event serves as a stark reminder of the inherent dangers faced by those who make their living on the sea. The case of Jerry Stephens is a story of a sudden and catastrophic event at sea that led to his tragic disappearance. Despite extensive search and rescue operations in the immediate aftermath, he was never found and is presumed to have been lost to the unforgiving waters of the Bering Sea on that fateful day in October 2002.

Oct 20, 2002

Dillingham

Alaska

Dillingham Census Area

No

77600

Alaska State Troopers

Anchorage

Alaska

Anchorage Borough

99507

Malia Miller

Missing Persons Clearinghouse Manager

5700 East Tudor Road, Alaska

9072695511

State

Law Enforcement

020075801

2002-10-20

Alaska State Troopers

na

Brown

Blue

Blue

07/21/2026