Phillip Littleford Missing Person Case

Jan 01, 1970

Jan 01, 1970

Phillip

Littleford

45

White / Caucasian

Male

On August 28, 1984, a tragic incident unfolded in the remote and rugged landscape of Iliamna, Alaska, leading to the disappearance of 45-year-old Phillip Littleford. Known also as Phil Littleford or Dr. Philip Littleford, he was a Caucasian male with brown hair and brown eyes, standing at 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing approximately 185 pounds. The last time anyone saw Phillip, he was bravely attempting to swim to the shore of Iliamna Bay. This desperate act followed the crash of the float plane he was on, a circumstance that cast a long shadow of uncertainty over his fate. At the time of his disappearance, he was reportedly wearing a bright dark blue long-sleeved turtleneck, blue jeans, and brown 'Red-Ball' chest waders with dark feet. He also wore a heavy-duty diving-style watch with a plastic band. The circumstances surrounding the float plane's crash remain a central and harrowing part of this story. While specific details about the flight and the cause of the crash are not extensively publicized, the outcome was devastating. In the immediate aftermath of the plane going down in the frigid waters of Iliamna Bay, Phillip made the courageous decision to try and save himself by swimming towards the shore. This was the last known action he took, a final, determined effort in the face of a perilous situation. The vastness of Iliamna Lake and the unforgiving Alaskan wilderness would have presented immense challenges to both his survival and any subsequent search efforts. The isolation of the area, coupled with the unpredictable weather common to the region, would have made a comprehensive search incredibly difficult. The disappearance of Phillip Littleford is a case that has been marked by the passage of time, yet the lack of resolution continues to be felt. The official investigation into his disappearance was handled by the Alaska State Troopers. Over the years, his case has been documented in missing persons databases in the hope that new information might come to light. The narrative of his disappearance is a somber reminder of the inherent dangers of travel in remote parts of Alaska and the profound impact such events have on the lives of those involved. The case remains an open wound for those who knew him, a story of a life interrupted by a sudden and tragic event in the Alaskan wilderness. The overview of the case is one of a presumed drowning following a plane crash, a scenario that, while plausible, lacks the definitive closure that only locating him could provide.

Aug 28, 1984

Iliamna

Alaska

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07/26/2026