Daniel Standifer, Jr Missing Person Case

Mar 17, 2020

Feb 01, 2024

Daniel

Standifer, Jr

57

34

71 inches

190 lbs

American Indian / Alaska Native

Male

On a fall day in Alaska, specifically October 4, 2002, a 34-year-old man named Daniel Standifer, Jr. from Soldotna disappeared and has not been seen or heard from since. An American Indian / Alaska Native man, Daniel, who also went by the nicknames Dan, Cowboy Dan, and others, was with two other people in a remote area at the time of the incident. The group was near the Chachatna River, south of Tyonek, when a tragic accident occurred that would forever alter the lives of all three individuals and their families. At the time he went missing, Daniel was wearing a black Carhartt coat, jeans, hip waders, and glasses. He also had a life vest on, but it reportedly came off during the incident. The tragic events unfolded as Daniel and his two companions attempted to cross the cold, swift waters of Nikolai Creek in an argo, an amphibious all-terrain vehicle. The powerful currents of the creek, a tributary of the Chachatna River, proved to be too much for the vehicle, causing it to flip over and throw all three occupants into the turbulent river. The sudden and violent immersion into the Alaskan water created a desperate fight for survival among the three individuals. In the chaos that ensued, one of the three managed to make it out of the water and call for help, becoming the sole survivor of the terrifying ordeal. In the wake of the argo capsizing, a search was launched for the two missing individuals. Tragically, one of the men who had been with Daniel was located deceased. However, despite efforts, Daniel Standifer, Jr. was never found. The harsh and unforgiving Alaskan wilderness likely claimed him, and he is presumed to have drowned in the waters of Nikolai Creek. The report of his disappearance was officially made to the Alaska State Troopers the following day. Though his case remains open, the circumstances surrounding the incident have led to the sorrowful conclusion that he did not survive the accident. His family later acknowledged his passing in the obituary of his father, Daniel Standifer Sr., who died in 2015, noting that Daniel Jr. had preceded him in death. The overview of this case is that a recreational outing turned into a tragedy, resulting in one survivor, one confirmed death, and the heartbreaking and unresolved disappearance of Daniel Standifer, Jr.

Oct 04, 2002

Soldotna

Alaska

Kenai Peninsula Borough

No

77671

Alaska State Troopers

Anchorage

Alaska

Anchorage Borough

99507

Malia Miller

Missing Persons Clearinghouse Manager

5700 East Tudor Road, Alaska

9072695511

State

Law Enforcement

020072088

2002-10-05

Alaska State Troopers

na

Black

Brown

Brown

No

07/16/2026