Shakti Eppling Missing Person Case

Mar 17, 2020

Nov 07, 2023

Shakti

Eppling

69

39

62 inches

102 lbs

American Indian / Alaska Native

Female

In the vast and untamed wilderness of Alaska, a journey of adventure and exploration took a tragic turn, leaving a void in the lives of those who knew and loved Shakti Eppling. On a day in mid-September of 1995, 39-year-old Shakti, a female with an adventurous spirit, was trekking through the breathtaking but perilous Valley of 10,000 Smokes near King Salmon, Alaska. Accompanied by two companions, she attempted to ford the powerful Lethe River. The group was about six miles above a location known as Three Forks when the river's current proved to be too strong. In a harrowing moment, Shakti was swept downstream, disappearing from the sight of her companions. The force of the water was unforgiving, and despite their efforts, they were unable to reach her. The immediate aftermath of the incident saw the launch of a search effort in the remote and challenging terrain. The two companions who had been with Shakti survived the river crossing and were able to alert authorities. Searchers scoured the area, hoping to find any sign of her. Their efforts led to the discovery of Shakti's backpack, a somber finding that confirmed the path she had been swept along. However, despite their dedicated search, Shakti herself was not located. The dangerous and powerful currents of the Lethe River had seemingly claimed her, and she was presumed to have drowned in the icy Alaskan waters. Shakti Khanna Eppling was described as having black hair and black eyes. She had a distinctive diamond nose ring and a red circular Hindu 'Tika' on her forehead. At the time of her disappearance, she was wearing a brown Gore-Tex overshell parka with a National Park Service 'Volunteer' patch on the shoulder, multicolored shorts, and size 5 tennis shoes. The official investigation into her disappearance was handled by the Alaska State Troopers. The circumstances surrounding Shakti's case paint a clear, albeit tragic, picture of an outdoor excursion gone horribly wrong. While her companions survived, the river became her final resting place, leaving behind a legacy of a vibrant life cut short by the unforgiving beauty of the Alaskan wilderness.

Sep 17, 1995

King Salmon

Alaska

Bristol Bay Borough

King Salmon

No

77187

Alaska State Troopers

Anchorage

Alaska

Anchorage Borough

99507

Malia Miller

Missing Persons Clearinghouse Manager

5700 East Tudor Road, Alaska

9072695511

State

Law Enforcement

950065273

1995-09-17

Alaska State Troopers

8837

Black

Black

Black

No

07/25/2026