Edward Wise Missing Person Case

Mar 17, 2020

Feb 08, 2024

Edward

Wise

103

77

64 inches

155 lbs

American Indian / Alaska Native

Male

On the last day of October in 1998, 77-year-old Edward Wise, an American Indian / Alaska Native male, embarked on a journey from Tuluksak, Alaska, that he would not complete. He was headed to his fish camp, a trip he likely made many times, traveling by skiff on the Kuskokwim River. At the time of his disappearance, he was wearing a brown, tan, and blue coat with black snow pants, pac boots, and a green hat known as a Molakai to protect him from the harsh Alaskan elements. The community of Bethel was his last known location, a detail that marks the starting point of a mystery that has endured for decades. The circumstances surrounding Edward Wise's disappearance paint a grim picture of a battle against the unforgiving Alaskan wilderness. His unoccupied skiff was discovered trapped in the ice about 10 miles north of Tuluksak. This discovery led investigators to a heartbreaking conclusion: it is believed that Mr. Wise attempted to walk across the treacherous ice, fell through, and tragically drowned in the frigid waters of the Kuskokwim River. The search for him yielded no further clues, leaving his family and community with unanswered questions and the heavy burden of his absence. The official investigation into his disappearance is handled by the Alaska State Troopers. The case of Edward Wise is a somber reminder of the dangers inherent in the vast and often perilous Alaskan landscape. He is one of many individuals who have gone missing in the state under circumstances that suggest an accident related to the environment. His case is classified as a suspected accident, and he is presumed to have drowned. Despite the passage of time, his case remains open, a silent testament to a life lost and the enduring hope for closure that his loved ones carry. The official record of his disappearance serves as a vital piece of information for those who continue to search for the missing and for a community that has not forgotten one of its own.

Oct 31, 1998

Bethel

Alaska

Bethel Census Area

No

77410

Alaska State Troopers

Anchorage

Alaska

Anchorage Borough

99507

Malia Miller

Missing Persons Clearinghouse Manager

5700 East Tudor Road, Alaska

9072695511

State

Law Enforcement

980069798

Alaska State Troopers

Black

Brown

Brown

No

07/02/2026