Leonard Gridley Missing Person Case

Jan 01, 1970

Jan 01, 1970

Leonard

Gridley

38

White / Caucasian

Male

In the vast and often unforgiving waters of Alaska, the story of Leonard Peter Gridley's disappearance is one that speaks to the perils faced by those who make their living from the sea. On June 16, 1987, a then 38-year-old man, was working as a crew member aboard the fishing vessel, the Miss Universe. The vessel was navigating the waters between Chignik and Alitak Bay, off the coast of Kodiak Island, when it sank. In the aftermath of the vessel going down, Leonard Gridley was not found. He vanished into the cold Alaskan sea, leaving behind a life and a future unknown. At the time he was last seen, he was described as a White male, standing at 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing approximately 180 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. The circumstances surrounding the sinking of the Miss Universe remain the central and most tragic detail of this case. In the immediate chaos and subsequent search and rescue efforts, no trace of Leonard was recovered. The official investigation, handled by the Alaska State Troopers, concluded that he was lost at sea. Distinctive physical features were noted in his file, such as a glass eye in his left eye socket, and scars on his right forearm and right leg, details that might have aided in identification had he been found. The lack of available information regarding what he was wearing at the time further complicates the slim hope of any future identification of remains that might be discovered. The case, while officially documented, remains a painful memory of the dangers inherent in the Alaskan fishing industry. Decades have passed since Leonard Gridley was last seen, and he is now presumed to be deceased. His case is a somber reminder of the power of the ocean and the many individuals who have been lost to its depths while working in one of Alaska's most vital industries. The investigation into his disappearance is intrinsically linked to the sinking of the Miss Universe, and with no further evidence or remains ever surfacing, the case offers little in terms of answers or closure. It stands as a testament to a life cut short by a maritime tragedy, a narrative of a man who went to work on the water one day and never returned, his final moments known only to the sea itself.

Jun 16, 1987

Kodiak

Alaska

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07/26/2026