John Sparks Missing Person Case

Jan 01, 1970

Jan 01, 1970

John

Sparks

47

White / Caucasian

Male

In the late summer of 1986, a 47-year-old man named John Sparks was working aboard the fishing vessel Shadrach in the waters of Alaska. On August 13th of that year, near the end of Whale Pass in the Kodiak area, a sudden and tragic event occurred. Mr. Sparks, a Caucasian male with brown hair and brown eyes, reportedly fell overboard from the vessel into the cold Alaskan waters. At the time of his disappearance, he was described as being 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighing approximately 140 pounds. A scar was noted near his left eye. The last known clothing he was wearing consisted of a grey parka with a hood, blue jeans, and brown rubber-type boots. The circumstances surrounding John Sparks's disappearance point to a presumed drowning. After he went into the water, extensive searches were likely conducted by the crew of the F/V Shadrach and possibly other nearby vessels and authorities. However, the vast and often treacherous waters of Whale Pass did not yield any sign of him. The official report, managed by the Alaska State Troopers, records the incident as a man overboard situation. The unforgiving nature of the Alaskan maritime environment, combined with the lack of immediate recovery, led investigators and his loved ones to face the grim reality of the situation. The case of John Sparks is a somber reminder of the dangers faced by those who make their living on the sea, particularly in the challenging conditions of Alaskan waters. Despite the passage of many years, he is still officially listed as a missing person, with the presumption that he did not survive the fall into the ocean on that August day. His nicknames were noted as John Delmar or John Delmer. The investigation, with the Alaska State Troopers case number 8656321, remains a testament to the tragic event. The overview of this case is that of a hardworking fisherman whose life was abruptly cut short by an accident at sea, leaving behind an enduring mystery and a permanent absence for those who knew him.

Aug 13, 1986

Kodiak

Alaska

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07/06/2026