On a fall day in southeastern Alaska, 64-year-old Erwin Lee Roy Curell was last seen in Ketchikan on November 19, 1991. He was reportedly wearing a yellow rain jacket, a camouflage or brown float coat, and black rubber boots at the time of his disappearance. The circumstances surrounding his last known moments point to a tragic accident in the waters that define the region. It is believed that he may have been involved in an inflatable boat accident somewhere between Pennock Island and Ketchikan.
Details regarding the specific events of that day are sparse, leaving a painful void for those who knew him. The theory that he drowned is the prevailing explanation for his sudden disappearance. Despite this assumption, the lack of a definitive recovery has left his case open. The Alaska State Troopers in Anchorage are the primary investigating agency, holding the case file for any new information that might surface. His nicknames were listed as Erwin Cruell and Erwin Lee Roy Currell.
The case of Erwin Curell is a somber reminder of the unforgiving nature of the Alaskan wilderness and the waters that surround it. With no remains ever located, the official explanation of a drowning accident, while plausible, cannot be definitively confirmed. Decades have passed since he was last seen, and the hope of finding answers has faded with time. His disappearance remains a quiet, unresolved chapter in the history of the region, one of many stories of individuals lost to the vast and powerful landscape of Alaska.
Last Seen: Nov 19, 1991