Antonio Butler Missing Person Case

Jan 01, 1970

Jan 01, 1970

Antonio

Butler

28

Black / African American

Male

On March 7, 1985, a 28-year-old man named Antonio "Tony" Butler was working aboard the fishing vessel, Ocean Bounty, in the challenging waters near Unimak Island, Alaska. The day was like many others in the demanding profession of commercial fishing, filled with hard labor and the constant presence of the cold, unpredictable sea. Antonio, a Black / African American male, was known to his friends and family by several names, including Tony Edward Butler and Antonio Eduardo Butler. He was a tall man, standing at 6 feet, and weighing around 200 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing his typical work attire for the harsh Alaskan environment: durable work clothes, protective rain gear, and knee-high boots, essential for staying as dry and warm as possible while on deck. The circumstances surrounding Antonio's disappearance are a stark reminder of the dangers faced by those who make their living on the water. On that fateful day, Antonio fell overboard from the Ocean Bounty into the frigid waters near Unimak Island. The sea, which provides a livelihood for so many in the region, tragically became the site of his last known moments. An immediate and thorough search was likely launched by the crew of the Ocean Bounty and possibly other nearby vessels, but the vast and unforgiving nature of the ocean in that area would have made any rescue effort incredibly difficult. A scar on his left arm was a distinguishing physical feature, a small mark of a life lived that was now lost to the waves. The investigation into Antonio's disappearance was handled by the Alaska State Troopers. The official report, case number 8520497, documented the heartbreaking event. Despite the passage of time, the case remains a poignant story of a man lost at sea. The lack of a resolution leaves a void for those who knew and cared for him. The overview of this case is one of a sudden and tragic accident in a dangerous profession. Antonio Butler, a young man in the prime of his life, went to work on a fishing vessel and never returned, his final moments witnessed only by the vast and indifferent sea off the coast of Alaska.

Mar 07, 1985

Dillingham

Alaska

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07/27/2026