Philip Odonoghue Missing Person Case

Jan 01, 1970

Jan 01, 1970

Philip

Odonoghue

22

White / Caucasian

Male

In the vast and unforgiving waters off the coast of Alaska, a story of tragedy and loss unfolded on September 30, 1984. On this day, 22-year-old Philip E. Odonoghue, a male from Kodiak, Alaska, vanished into the sea following a boating accident. He was not alone in this unfortunate event; with him were his brother, Geoffrey Odonoghue, and David Miller Jr. The three men were aboard the 48-foot wooden fishing vessel, the Curlew, when they found themselves in a perilous situation. Their vessel was in the process of a rescue attempt, trying to assist another boat, the Kelly Ann, near the southeast tip of Atkins Island and Koniuju Island in the Shumagin Islands. The events of that day took a devastating turn when the Curlew, while towing the Kelly Ann, foundered and ultimately sank into the frigid Alaskan waters. In a moment of quick thinking, the crew of the Kelly Ann managed to cut the towline as the Curlew was going down. This action allowed them to start their own engine, steer clear of the nearby rocks, and pull one survivor from the sinking vessel, a man identified as Ray Miller. However, despite the successful rescue of one, Philip Odonoghue, along with his brother Geoffrey and David Miller Jr., were lost to the sea. Following the tragic incident, an extensive search was presumably launched for the three missing men, but their bodies were never recovered. The unforgiving nature of the Alaskan waters and the circumstances of the sinking of the Curlew led to the heartbreaking presumption that all three men had perished. The Alaska State Troopers have handled the case, and the disappearance of Philip Odonoghue, Geoffrey Odonoghue, and David Miller Jr. remains a somber reminder of the dangers faced by those who make their living on the sea. The case serves as an overview of the inherent risks of maritime activities in the challenging Alaskan environment and the profound impact such tragedies have on families and communities.

Sep 30, 1984

Kodiak

Alaska

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07/21/2026