Mar 17, 2020
Jan 12, 2024
Mark
Thibault
54
31
69 inches
170 lbs
White / Caucasian
Male
In the rugged and unforgiving waters of Alaska, 31-year-old Mark Albert Thibault disappeared on October 11, 2002. He, along with Patrick DeMichele, was aboard the 48-foot fishing vessel, the 'Shenandoah', which had departed from Homer, Alaska. The 'Shenandoah' was en route to Seward, towing a larger 65-foot vessel named the 'Mary J.' The circumstances surrounding their voyage took a grim turn, leading to a desperate search and an enduring mystery. The last known location for Mark was listed as Soldotna, Alaska, though the events that led to his disappearance unfolded at sea. The initial indication of trouble came when the U.S. Coast Guard received a signal from an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) in the area of Rocky Bay. An EPIRB is a device designed to transmit a distress signal to alert rescue authorities, providing a location to facilitate a swift response. Upon investigating the signal, the Coast Guard discovered a life raft from the 'Shenandoah', but there was no sign of the vessel itself or its two crew members. Adding to the perplexing situation, the 'Mary J,' the vessel that had been under tow, was found aground in Windy Bay. Despite extensive searches of the area, neither Mark Thibault nor Patrick DeMichele were ever found. The 'Shenandoah' is believed to have sunk, taking with it the two men and the answers to what exactly transpired on that October day. Debris from the 'Shenandoah' was located in and around Chugach Bay, further indicating the vessel was lost. The case remains a painful and unresolved chapter for the families and friends of the missing fishermen. The unforgiving nature of the Alaskan seas has claimed many lives, and this incident serves as a somber reminder of the dangers faced by those who make their living on the water. The disappearance of Mark Thibault and Patrick DeMichele is an overview of how a routine maritime task can turn into a tragedy, leaving behind questions that may never be answered.
Oct 11, 2002
Soldotna
Alaska
Kenai Peninsula Borough
No
77471
Alaska State Troopers
Anchorage
Alaska
Anchorage Borough
99507
Malia Miller
Missing Persons Clearinghouse Manager
5700 East Tudor Road, Alaska
9072695511
State
Law Enforcement
020073530
2002-10-11
Alaska State Troopers
na
Brown
Green
Green
No
07/17/2026
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