Thomas Haines Missing Person Case

Mar 17, 2020

Apr 26, 2024

Thomas

Haines

67

21

68 inches

170 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

In the vast and rugged wilderness of Alaska, the story of a young man named Thomas Ernest Haines unfolds, a narrative left unfinished since a winter day in 1980. At the age of 21, with blond hair and blue eyes, Thomas was embarking on an adventure through the Alaskan terrain. On January 10, 1980, he was last seen in the Prince of Wales area, a place of breathtaking beauty and formidable challenges. He was hiking from the Hollis YACC camp, with his destination being Karta Lake, a journey that would take him through an untamed landscape by an unknown route. The exact date of his last contact is recorded as January 10, 1980, a day that marks the beginning of a long and painful mystery for his loved ones. Thomas was appropriately equipped for the Alaskan backcountry, dressed in grey wool clothing and brown boots to protect against the elements. He carried a blue pack containing a sleeping bag and a canvas tarp, essentials for survival in the wilderness. He also wore a tan wool hat and tan wool gloves to shield himself from the cold. With a blond beard, he fit the image of a young man at home in the natural world. His journey from the Hollis camp to Karta Lake was one he undertook alone, and the specifics of the path he chose to follow remain unknown. The circumstances surrounding his disappearance are sparse, with no known witnesses to his journey or any indication of what might have transpired. The years have passed without any sign of Thomas Haines. The official record, maintained by the Alaska State Troopers, holds his case as an enduring mystery. With no evidence to suggest he survived his trek through the Alaskan wilderness, authorities have made the difficult presumption that he is deceased. This case serves as a somber reminder of the unforgiving nature of the wild and the profound sense of loss that accompanies a person who vanishes without a trace. The lack of resolution leaves a void for those who knew him, a story of a young adventurer who walked into the vastness of Alaska and was never seen again.

Jan 10, 1980

Prince of Wales

Alaska

Prince of Wales-Outer Ketchikan County

No

77463

Alaska State Troopers

Anchorage

Alaska

Anchorage Borough

99507

Malia Miller

Missing Persons Clearinghouse Manager

5700 East Tudor Road, Alaska

9072695511

State

Law Enforcement

B80-10114

Alaska State Troopers

8947

Blond/Strawberry

Blue

Blue

07/23/2026