Bessie Hansen Missing Person Case

Mar 17, 2020

Jul 29, 2024

Bessie

Hansen

62

39

63 inches

127 lbs

American Indian / Alaska Native

Female

On a summer day in Alaska, July 22, 2001, a 39-year-old woman named Bessie Marie Hansen was aboard the fishing vessel Lorelle Renee. An American Indian / Alaska Native woman with black hair and brown eyes, Bessie was four miles north of the mouth of the Ugashik River when the unthinkable happened. The exact details of the incident remain somewhat vague, but it was on this day that Bessie went overboard into the chilly Alaskan waters. The circumstances surrounding how she fell from the vessel are not publicly detailed, leaving a painful void in the story for those who knew and cared for her. The initial response to this tragic event was immediate concern and the start of what would become a long and sorrowful case for the Alaska State Troopers. The search for Bessie Hansen began with the grim understanding of the dangers posed by the powerful currents and cold temperatures of the Alaskan sea. Those who knew her held onto hope, but the reality of the situation was stark. She was presumed to have drowned in the waters off the coast of Dillingham. The official investigation was handled by the Alaska State Troopers, who recorded the incident and opened a missing person case. As time passed with no sign of Bessie, her case became one of many heartbreaking stories of individuals lost to the vast and unforgiving Alaskan wilderness and waters. Her family, including her brother, provided DNA samples in the hope that they might one day help in her identification. For years, Bessie's case remained open, a quiet but persistent ache for her loved ones and the community. The official record noted her disappearance from the fishing vessel Lorelle Renee, a detail that paints a haunting picture of her final moments. The case eventually came to a sad conclusion, as it is now considered closed. Regrettably, Bessie Marie Hansen was located deceased. While the specific date and circumstances of her recovery are not widely publicized, the resolution brought a somber end to the uncertainty that had stretched on for so long. The overview of this case is one of a sudden and tragic loss at sea, a stark reminder of the perils faced by those who make their living on the water, and a long period of not knowing that ultimately ended in the confirmation of a devastating loss.

Jul 22, 2001

Dillingham

Alaska

Dillingham Census Area

Dillingham

No

77232

Alaska State Troopers

Anchorage

Alaska

Anchorage Borough

99507

Malia Miller

Missing Persons Clearinghouse Manager

5700 East Tudor Road, Alaska

9072695511

State

Law Enforcement

010047570

2001-07-22

Alaska State Troopers

Black

Brown

Brown

Yes

06/29/2026