According to a 2019 report by Alaskan health officials, 68 people in the state were hospitalized for injuries sustained in 66 bear attacks from 2000 to 2017. Published by Statista Research Department , Mar 31, 2022. It's easy to write off the disappearances as people getting lost and quickly succumbing to the elements, but the numbers seem too staggering for such an easy answer. Its a challenge but her family maintains hope. But we haven't even gotten to the best part yet. Alaska has the most missing persons per capita, with 41.8 people missing per 100,000 population. But Weaver also realizes that winter is no longer on their side. What is surprising, however, is the sheer number of people who go missing. Though its no metropolis, Nome is Alaskas westernmost major city. We want answers and closure.. The 33-year-old, Alaska Native mother . The Alaska MMIP working group has been working on the TCRP guidelines that meet the unique challenges of Alaska communities. Alaska: Thank you! The states massive glaciers are rife with giant holes, hidden, OK, all that does make sense. (CNN) -- "The Fourth Kind" isn't the kind that Nome, Alaska, wants around. nome, alaska missing persons statistics. Offenses Known to Law Enforcement. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South Africa, and survived a near-miss great white shark attack in Mexico. Asteroid Ryugu Has Dust Grains Older Than the Sun. Okpealuks shoes and jacket were left behind. An emergency on the trail is scary enough without supernatural or psychopathic terrors hiding in the trees. This area is one of the last uncharted places left on the map. Among the most prolific abusers on the list was the Rev. At least two dozen people have gone missing in the last few decades. The true story of Nome, Alaska proves that truth is stranger than fiction. Different vintage years of estimates are not comparable. One of the most significant takeaways is that Alaska has by far the most considerable rate of missing person cases in the United States, with approximately one out of each 617 people in the state missing. Alaska is huge. Indigenous women go disappearing at a much higher rate than anybody else. More than 16,000 people including airplane passengers and hikers, locals, and tourists have disappeared within the Alaska Triangle since 1988. But, arent those other theories way more fun to explore? Discussions about them often include talks about this being a place with a high number of UFO sightings. Maintaining an intrastate/interstate network of communication to facilitate speedy collection and processing of information regarding missing persons. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to 2 min read. But perhaps theres a more down-to-earth explanation for why these people seem to have left Nome without a trace. Alaska is huge. How? A 2009 pseudodocumentary falsely claims alien abduction is an explanation of why people disappear in Nome, Alaska. Your IP: You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Retired Alaska State Trooper Lonny Piscoya, a 25-year veteran of the force, started Sept. 19, 2022 as the state's new coordinator for solving cases involving missing and murdered Indigenous people. Two roommates, one disappearance and no answers. Alaska authorities never paid him much notice. There are lots of unusual things about the city of Nome, Alaska, including a series of strange disappearances. I know its becoming more difficult with the snow hitting the ground now, he said. Although this place was once top-secret, the University of Alaska holds an open house once a year allowing visitors to check it out. Nome (/ n o m /; (Inupiaq: Sitasuaq, pronounced [sitsuq], also Sitazuaq, Siqnazuaq) is a city in the Nome Census Area in the Unorganized Borough of Alaska, United States.The city is located on the southern Seward Peninsula coast on Norton Sound of the Bering Sea.It had a population of 3,699 recorded in the 2020 census, up from 3,598 in 2010. . In Vintage 2022, as a result of the formal request from the state, Connecticut transitioned from eight counties to nine planning regions. Legend has it that the creature appears to travelers in an irresistible form (such as a relative or vulnerable child) to lure victims to a nearby river, where it tears them to shreds or turns them into another Kushtaka. May all those that disappeared and lost their lives forever rest in peace. Nome Police Chief Michael Heintzelman and Diana Haecker, editor of The Nome Nugget, talk about missing persons in the area specifically the disappearances of Joseph Balderas and Florence Okpealuk. Of course, we dont know all the details, but maybe stricter enforcement could have saved some lives. E-mail Missing Persons Clearinghouse. Please note that new Connecticut county level geographies are not availabe within the map. Become a FREE CAMPING INSIDER and join the 100,000 campers that love to score the best site! Many people have gone missing over the years, and there are a few theories as to why. minority. is candy a common or proper noun; Tags . Were going to keep looking into the wormholes and alien reverse gravity technology because those are way more interesting. For more information, please visit the 2021 5-year ACS Comparison Guidance page. 5700 East Tudor Road Anchorage, AK 99507 Phone: (907) 269-5511 (The silver lining: After this incident, Congress passed a law mandating the installation of emergency locator transmitters in all U.S. civilian aircraft.). The first is its importance as a gold mining center, dating back to the early 20th Century. Community-organized search efforts have brought volunteers and funding from across the state, including from regional communities like Brevig Mission, Teller, Wales and Savoonga. The website Niche gives Nome an overall grade of C, with its highest marks for its diversity and nightlife. For too long, the crisis has been overlooked and underfunded. That was, of course, until the mystery of The Triangle was finally solved a few years ago! 4) Cold Case - Alaska's Worst Unsolved Mass Murder. Translation: hundreds of miles of private roads that are perfect for a UFO abduction or worse, dumping a body. Its an impossibly vast expanse of dense boreal forests, craggy mountain peaks, alpine lakes, and large swaths of plain old wilderness. The heavy drinking in Nome paints a picture of a spirited place, but it may be unfair to call it wild and lawless. An official website of the United States government . Cloudflare Ray ID: 7c089f0fe8a07327 Alaska is a sprawling state with a population about the size of Seattle, but a staggering 59 percent of adult women in Alaska have . One potential reason for the disappearing planes: The terrain utterly obliterates them. The sci-fi thriller was set in the town and largely told the tale of how a whole town disappeared in Alaska - the missing people in Nome, Alaska were assumed to be UFO related. To get there or leave, you generally have to schedule a flight or take a boat. . Assistance with entry of missing persons data and information pertaining to unidentified bodies into the Alaska Public Safety Information Network (APSIN) and National Crime Information Center (NCIC) computer systems. 5.134.8.221 I - American Indian / Alaska Native. The rate per 1,000 people is more than twice . Just remember to stay safe if you do venture into the Alaskan wilderness, and contact Alaska's Missing Persons Clearinghouse if you find (or need help finding) a wayward traveler. For more details, Site will be available soon. Users should exercise caution when comparing 2017-2021 ACS 5-year estimates to other ACS estimates. More than 16,000 people including airplane passengers and, For almost as long as there have been planes flying over the Atlantic Ocean, , theories have abounded about the nature of the Bermuda Triangle. So much so that the Travel Channel even made aTV series out of it, where [e]xperts and eyewitnesses attempt to unlock the mystery of the Alaska Triangle, a remote area infamous for alien abductions, Bigfoot sightings, paranormal phenomena and vanishing airplanes. So, yeah, the Alaska Triangle has everything the Bermuda Triangle has, but with more mountains, better hiking, and a whole lot more crazy. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. Besides its lively bars and restaurants, Nome has lots of cool history and plenty of gorgeous scenery to explore, including beaches and mountains. In 1947, for example, the British South American Airways (BSAA) Lancastrian 3 airliner Star Dust disappeared en route from Buenos Aires, Argentina to Santiago, Chile, and its fate was unknown for more than 50 years. Massachusetts has the least missing persons per capita, with 1.8 people missing per 100,000 population. One purpose of this military base was to study the aurora borealis, but other rumors circulated. Roughly two dozen beloved residents of this remote Alaska town went missing between 1960 through 2004, sparking nationwide uproar about the whole town in Alaska that disappeared. Access the list by submitting your email below: Home Why Are People Disappearing From Nome, Alaska? By the numbers, it seems something more interesting might be at play. Nome earns a B in jobs and ranks 27th in Alaska as a place for young business professionals. Nome Police Chief Michael Heintzelman and Diana Haecker, editor of The Nome Nugget, talk about missing persons in the area - specifically the disappearances of Joseph Balderas and Florence Okpealuk. Six Planets are Retrograde, What Does that Mean for You? The action you just performed triggered the security solution. The crime rates are a part of Nomes big picture adding to the good, the bad, and the ugly. Since the saloon days of the Gold Rush, Nome has always been notorious for its wide-open alcohol consumption. If a person went missing due to a tragic incident, such as a boat sinking, plane crashes or perhaps an avalanche, a bulletin likely would not be generated. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. Nome Police Chief Michael Heintzelman and Diana Haecker, editor of The Nome Nugget, talk about missing persons in the area - specifically the . The state has set up the Missing Person Clearinghouse under the Alaska Bureau of Investigation to track all missing person cases reported within Alaska. Still, it seems unlikely that similar avalanches would have occurred in every plane that's gone missing over the Alaskan Triangle. So what is the truth behind all of these missing people? Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance Missing Since: October 18, 1998 from Nome, Alaska Classification: Endangered Missing Date Of Birth: July 26, 1949 Age: 49 years old Height and Weight: 5'6, 185 pounds Distinguishing Characteristics: Native Alaskan male. Kawerak Inc. President Melanie Bahnke said in September that she offered to put Nome in touch with FBI resources when she realized that Okpealuk was missing. Trivia. The movie, called "The Fourth Kind," starred Milla Jovovich as a psychologist who uncovers disturbing truths through her patients' memories. The list below is all reported missing persons in the State of Alaska and is updated daily at 6:00 AM. Missing in Nome, Alaska. You can grab that deal below, or keep reading to take a closer look at what Growatt's newest power station is capable of. There's a region of wilderness known by names like "Alaska's Bermuda Triangle," the "Bermuda Triangle of Alaska," and the "Alaskan Triangle" and no matter what name you give it, it's far more deadly than its tropical cousin. [2] Half of the 800,000 missing-juvenile cases reported each year are runaways. I am an Alaska wilderness mystery author and a podcaster: Murder and Mystery in the Last Frontier. Lovers of lore and, However, the most likely scientific explanation is simple geography. The Last Frontier is home to its very own Area 51. They never found a trace of Boggs, his crew, or his aircraft. Finally, those strange disappearances are another reason Nome, Alaska, has made a name for itself. Family and friends of the missing people, as well as the whole community, were on edge 24/7 thinking about who could be lurking around their community and praying on the innocent. Some estimates presented here come from sample data, and thus have sampling errors that may render some apparent differences between geographies statistically indistinguishable. ] . They didnt happen all at once but gradually over four decades. The state with the lowest rate of missing persons is . Get more stories delivered right to your email. Each month, NamUs publishes reports and statistics for all unresolved missing person, unresolved unidentified person, and unresolved unclaimed person cases published. More than two weeks after 33-year-old Florence Okpealuk disappeared from a Nome beach, the community is still aching for answers. The "Kushtaka" roughly translates to "land-otter man" and is the Bigfoot of the Alaskan Triangle. Providing training and assistance to law enforcement agencies to promote effective use of the Clearinghouse. Of the 900,000 people reported missing each year in the U.S., 50,000 are over the age of 18. Its about 540 miles west of Anchorage. We found out Is It Possible to See Russia from Alaska? Two Argentinian climbers found the plane's wreckage while ascending Mount Tupungato in 1998, and investigators concluded that Star Dust had likely crashed into a nearly vertical glacier, which caused an avalanche that buried it within minutes. Its gearing up to launch its latest product, the INFINITY 1300 portable power station. The states massive glaciers are rife with giant holes, hidden caves, and building-sized crevasses. Why You Should Buy the Growatt INFINITY 1300 Portable Power Station. Some believe alien abductions are to blame, while others point to even more sinister reasons. Statistics show us that approximately 1,500 American Indian and Alaska Native missing persons have been entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) throughout the U.S. and approximately 2,700 cases of Murder and Nonnegligent Homicide Offenses have been reported to the Federal Government's Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program. 35 talking about this. Nothing but trees and big dangerous animals. Alaska continues to have one of the highest rates which is devastating for our communities and our families. With a year-round population under 4,000 residents, the small community of Nome isn't known for being a major economic hub or a place that tourists flock to. But the Nome Police Department isnt ready to let the case go cold yet. But, arent those other theories way more fun to explore? The Alaska Triangle a name that stems from the infamous Bermuda Triangle is an area of wilderness connecting the three city points of Juneau, Barrow, and Anchorage. When a scary movie takes away all the trappings of modern life and places its characters in the woods, the stakes are higher. That report card from Niche includes some sobering statistics that include relatively high rates of heinous crimes. a look at disparities in missing persons cases 2021 statistics for the united states * * source: 2021 ncic missing person and unidentified person statistics (2/2/2022) 0. . He said they continue to receive analyzed cellphone data provided by the FBI field office in Anchorage. However, according to an article in the Anchorage Daily News, an FBI investigation into Nomes disappearances pointed to other causes. Still, more than 20,000 missing person cases and 14,000 unidentified body cases remain open. As a matter of fact, these free campsites are yours. Thats been the most impressive and most helpful aspect of the whole search for Weaver, who is used to working with large police departments in Florida. 3 Most Famous Unsolved Mysteries of Alaska US. This article first appeared on Curiosity.com. In some cases, authorities believe they may have drowned in the icy waters of Norton Sound. Is it a UFO, alien abduction, serial killer, or simply human error? Lets take a closer look at the mystery of the Nome, Alaska disappearances: Check out this video covering the disappearances for more information. Portable power stations are incredibly versatile, and pretty much everyone should own one for backups, emergencies, and general power needs. "The Fourth Kind" is a reference to scientist J. Allen Hynek s famous categories involving the sightings of UFOs. The NamUs database application fills the nation's need for a unified, online, free, secure database for unidentified remains and missing persons records. Digital Trends Media Group may earn a commission when you buy through links on our sites. Email the Webmaster, State of Alaska Department of Public Safety, Alaska Department of Public Safety, State Troopers, Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. Thats five people reported missing every year per 1000 residents. Resources. Pro Tip: We uncovered if it is possible to Drive To Alaska Safely. So search and rescue efforts are going to become more strained with the weather.. In fact, what seems to have gotten the most people talking about this isolated community is the disappearance of 24 people that happened between the 1960s and 2004. The northwestern town of Nome, Alaska is located on the southern edge of the Seward Peninsula on Norton Sound. IE 11 is not supported. At least two dozen people have gone missing in the last few decades. please see the Vintage 2022 release notes available here: Release Notes. And, most of the state is still entirely uninhabited by people, with rugged mountains and dense forests. Finding a missing person in the Alaskan wilderness isnt like finding a needle in a haystack. Why Do People Live Near Active Volcanoes? Published by at 14 Marta, 2021. Rhode Island has the least, with 20 people missing. Can we detect evidence of a prior advanced civilization? 2023 Warner Bros. An official website of the United States government. The area also covers the northern region of the Barrow mountain range. There are three of these highways, the longest of which is 85 miles. Half of missing adults are white, 30% are African American, and 20% are Latino. QuickFacts data are derived from: Population Estimates, American Community Survey, Census of Population and Housing, Current Population Survey, Small Area Health Insurance Estimates, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates, State and County Housing Unit Estimates, County Business Patterns, Nonemployer Statistics, Economic Census, Survey of Business Owners, Building Permits. This ancient structure has more sides than you think. Maybe many wildly embellish some of the reports, like some of the fanciful theories about the Nome, Alaska disappearances. It appears theres nothing spectacular about them at all, and the simple explanation points to careless human error. For more than a month, 50 civilian planes and 40 military craft scoured a search grid of 32,000 square miles (an area larger than the state of Maine). Alaska Geographic 28 (3): 62-65. This makes it an unusually remote city, but thats something that many Alaskans deal with already. It was later found to be largely misleading as it was marketed as a documentary and, in fact, was just a misrepresentation of actual facts surrounding these disappearances. Lovers of lore and mystery novels have postulated everything from unusually heavy air and bizarre weather patterns to alien involvement and energy lasers from the lost city of Atlantis. B - Black / African American. Thats a distance of about 160 miles. We will not give up, said Florences older sister Blair Okpealuk. Again, given the sheer size of the Triangle, its easy to chalk up its mysteries to the perils of traveling through such an inhospitable landscape. Sprawling forests, icy mountain peaks, and desolate tundras are clearly not the safest places in the world, but of the hundreds of search-and-rescue missions conducted every year, state troopers rarely find any trace of bodies dead or alive. Click to reveal Violent Criminal Apprehension Program (ViCAP) ViCAP assists in the investigation of violent crime cases. Again, given the sheer size of the Triangle, its easy to chalk up its mysteries to the perils of traveling through such an inhospitable landscape. Look at our department, we have like six or seven people that are officers, Weaver said. A more grounded explanation is that the deceptively beautiful glaciers of Alaska have swallowed many of the missing people and planes. According to the Alaska Bureau of Investigation's Missing Persons Clearinghouse (MPC), the actual number of people unaccounted for in Alaska is 1,319 out of the entire population of 733,500 largest number of missing people. It has a database with over 5,000 cases of missing children and provided information on cases for years . A locked padlock Alan Foster might not be a popular figure, but he, too, makes the list of the people who have mysteriously disappeared in the Alaska Triangle. The High-Frequency Active Auroral Research Project, or HAARP, was once a high-security facility that housed a secret project in the middle of the woods. The reason is the terrain is mostly mountains and wetlands, and its expensive and difficult to construct roads. Anyone can enter and search case information on the NamUs dashboard and regional specialists can assist in the search for a missing person. A Guide to Indiana Dunes National Park: Where to Visit, What to Do, and More. The High-Frequency Active Auroral Research Project, or, Experiences some of the harshest winters in the world, Has a limited ability to grow fresh produce, Youll Barely Be Able To Take A Bite Of The Massive Burgers At The Butte Burger Place In Alaska, Enjoy The Freshest Seafood At This One-Of-A-Kind Seafood Restaurant In Alaska, A Bit Of An Unexpected Natural Wonder, Few People Know There Are Sand Dunes Hiding In Alaska, You Wont Find Better Country Cooking Than At This One Alaska Restaurant, The Story Behind This Remote Town In Alaska Will Fascinate You, Step Inside The Creepy, Abandoned Town Of Port Chatham In Alaska, The One Winter Alaskans Will Never, Ever Forget, The Strange Town In Alaska Where Everyone Lives Under The Same Roof. The movie's hoaxed interviews have angered the families of real missing persons in and around Nome, Alaska, for trivializing their loss. Share sensitive information only on official, Scott Weaver is an investigator newly hired by NPD. Volcanoes have a lot to offer local residents. The Call Comes In. It explores the disappearances of people, planes, boats and ships in the area between Anchorage, Juneau and Barrow, known as the Alaska Triangle (first named in 1972). NBC . The disappearance triggered one of the country's largest ever search-and-rescue operations, involving 40 military aircraft, 50 civilian planes, and 39 days of searching an area of 32,000 square miles. Advertisement. Even more people around the world know it as the finish line for the famous Iditarod dogsled race. To alert the public of the missing in Alaska and assist the families with a team of volunteers. That wasn't the only aircraft to be lost, either: Back in 1950, a military craft with 44 passengers had disappeared without a trace; and a Cessna 340 carrying a pilot and four passengers vanished in 1990, never to be heard from again. Nome also is known for being a place thats successfully independent while being somewhat isolated. More than 16,000 people including airplane passengers and hikers, locals, and tourists have disappeared within the Alaska Triangle since 1988. In fact, for many years, the drinking establishments stayed open until 5:00 a.m. That newspaper article describing the investigations into Nomes mysterious disappearances offered the following conclusion. In the past few two decades, communication has made it easier to keep in touch with and track persons, allowing missing person reports to fall by over 40%. organization in the United States. All rights reserved. Callers can remain anonymous. No matter, because we now know the Alaska Triangle exists and the mystery behind it is way, way more interesting. He loves the great outdoors and good bourbon, and (usually) calls Tulsa, Oklahoma home. They are more or less paved scenic roads that come to a sudden end. She continues to organize search efforts and stresses her gratitude for the outpouring of searchers and support for her sister. Well, a group of guys got up close and personal with a great white shark while trying to snag a tuna for their meal. Nothing. Although you might not expect these large numbers of disappearances to occur in such a remote and desolate area, you might be surprised to learn that there are roughly 350 miles of roads radiating from Nome that lead deep into some of Alaskas most scenic, pristine country. In a state as unusual as Alaska, there are bound to be several unusual towns. The movie is in essence a conspiracy theory that centers around the reason for the missing people being alien abduction. To be honest with you,we hate paying for camping. Click the Quick Info icon to the left of each row in TABLE view to learn about sampling error. However, the most likely scientific explanation is simple geography. Would you like to book a flight to visit Nome, Alaska? Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. Tell us in the comments! Thousands of People Have Mysteriously Disappeared in "Alaska's Bermuda Triangle", New Year, New Adventures:What the World has to Offer, Neuschwanstein Castle Is A Disney Inspiration Designed By A Mad King. A documentary-style film that came out in 2009 put a sensationalist sci-fi spin on the Nome, Alaska disappearances. Anyone with any information regarding the whereabouts of Florence Okpealuk can call the Nome police at 907-443-5262. She was last . Is something else at play within the Alaska Triangle? So you'd think that if a UFO was going to show up, it would be in an area such as this, one of the most. Interest in the Alaska Triangle began in 1972 when a small, private craft carrying U.S. House Majority Leader Hale Boggs seemingly vanished into thin air somewhere between Juneau and Anchorage. Alaska is the most dangerous state in the U.S. for women. Like much of Alaska, the triangle contains some of the most rugged, unforgiving wilderness in North America. The missing persons bulletin from the Alaska State Troopers says she was last seen coming out of tent on Nome's West Beach approximately one . Owning one of these power stations will put you in a great position if you ever run into power issues, whether because of a standard outage, unexpected events, or something else entirely. As you can surely imagine, the frozen wonderland and dark sky can take its toll on even the most seasoned sourdoughs. Whittier has been called the weirdest in America and has only one way in and one way out of town. The TCRP guidelines cover: If this true story of Nome, Alaska missing people intrigues you, read the truly creepy story behind this haunted hotel in Alaska. In absolute terms, California Alaska. And, there are intense snowstorms all year around. In fact, the Nome, Alaska disappearances gained such worldwide attention that a Hollywood movie called 'The Fourth Kind' was even released in 2009. A compilation of statistics from the National Crime Information Center's (NCIC's) Missing Person and Unidentified Person Files for the 2020 operational year. In 2021, there were 305,249 cases filed by the NCIC where the race of the reported missing was white. The city has no highways leading to other cities, towns, or villages. Many communities are lucky to have any claim to fame at all, but Nome has several reasons for its notoriety. Numerous search and rescue efforts, including large community searches and trained cadaver dogs, have yielded no major breakthroughs thus far. Add to that the fact that many disappear without a shred of evidence, and bodies (alive or dead) are rarely found. Pre-Order Now RELATED: We are calling to you: a baseline report by Data for Indigenous Justice about Alaska missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls RELATED: Seeking protection, wanting justice . October 14, 2022, 3:23 PM.