John Slagill Missing Person Case

Mar 17, 2020

Feb 20, 2024

John

Slagill

67

32

71 inches

155 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

In the remote and unforgiving waters of Alaska, the story of John Dean Slagill's disappearance began on November 28, 1990. At 32 years old, John, also known as Johnnie Dean Slagill, was with his companion, Terrance "Sam" Batchelder, when they were last seen near Dillingham. The two men were aboard a fishing vessel named the Red Jacket and embarked on what should have been a routine and short trip. Their plan was simple: to take a small skiff from the main vessel to the nearby Seguam Island to collect fresh water. It was a necessary task in a wild and isolated part of the world, but one that held unforeseen risks. They set out from the Red Jacket, leaving the relative safety of the larger boat behind, and ventured towards the island in their skiff, disappearing into the vast Alaskan seascape. The last known details of their preparations paint a picture of men ready for the elements, though perhaps not for the fate that awaited them. John Slagill was reportedly wearing brown insulated Carhartt bib overalls, a yellow rain suit, and an orange life jacket. He also had on either orange or red fluorescent gloves, items chosen for visibility and protection against the harsh marine environment. His companion, Terrance Batchelder, was similarly dressed for the cold and wet conditions. Their departure in the skiff was the last time any known contact was made with either man. They left the Red Jacket with a clear purpose but never made it back. As time passed with no sign of the skiff or the men, the realization grew that something had gone terribly wrong. An alarm was raised, and presumably, searches were initiated, but the vast and often treacherous waters off the Alaskan coast yielded no clues. No trace of John Slagill, Terrance Batchelder, or their skiff has ever been located. The exact details of what happened after they left the Red Jacket remain a mystery, lost to the sea. The case, managed by the Alaska State Troopers, is a somber reminder of the dangers faced by those who make their living on the water. The disappearance of these two men is a story without an ending, a narrative of a simple task that led to a lasting and unresolved mystery, leaving families and friends with unanswered questions that have endured for decades.

Nov 28, 1990

Dillingham

Alaska

Dillingham Census Area

No

77431

Alaska State Troopers

Anchorage

Alaska

Anchorage Borough

99507

Malia Miller

Missing Persons Clearinghouse Manager

5700 East Tudor Road, Alaska

9072695511

State

Law Enforcement

900079776

Alaska State Troopers

8933

Brown

Blue

Blue

07/20/2026