The person at the center of this case
Daniel Lester Jones
Missing Person · Unsolved
36 years waiting · since 1989
Missing Person: Daniel Lester Jones
Justice for Daniel Lester Jones — the trail went cold in 1989, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
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evidence
Lead #1What caused the two men to abandon the Boston Whaler and transfer to the larger vessel, and why did they not return?
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vehicle
Lead #2The larger 17-foot fiberglass shift used by Daniel Novcaski was never located—where did it go and what happened to it?
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timeline
Lead #3Why were the men not reported missing immediately, and what was the expected return time that triggered the missing person report?
Daniel Lester Jones, a 25-year-old fisherman, disappeared on September 9, 1989, during a boating accident near St. Lazaria Island off Sitka, Alaska, along with fishing companion Daniel Novcaski. His 13-foot Boston Whaler was found anchored offshore with supplies still aboard, suggesting the men transferred to a larger vessel and never returned. Both men are presumed deceased, but their bodies have never been recovered, leaving questions about what happened during their final hours at sea.
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More leads to consider
Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
💡
clue
Lead #4The presence of food and supplies on the abandoned Boston Whaler suggests a planned return—what circumstances prevented them from coming back?
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Official wording
Source Narrative
NamUs case MP67223. Missing person: Daniel Lester Jones.
Last known contact: 1989-09-09 in Sitka, Sitka, AK. Circumstances: Daniel Jones was last seen on 09/09/1989 during a boating accident near St Lazaria Island by Sitka.
He is missing with Daniel Novcaski (MP #66748). Per media, Daniel Jones' 13' Boston Whaler was found not long after the search for the two men began.
The boat was anchored just offshore from St Lazaria and had food, gas, and some halibut on board. The two men are believed to have left the smaller boat there and continued fishing from Daniel Novcaski's larger 17' fiberglass shift.
The two men did not return when expected and the wife of one of the men reported them missing. Both men are presumed to be deceased but their bodies have never been found.
Demographics: 25 years, Male, White / Caucasian. Physical description: 5 ft 11 in, 160 lbs, hair: Blond/Strawberry, eyes: Blue.
Investigating agency: Alaska State Troopers | 890066326.
Timeline of Events
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1989-09-09
Boating accident and disappearance
Daniel Lester Jones and Daniel Novcaski disappeared near St. Lazaria Island during a fishing trip. They transferred from Jones' 13-foot Boston Whaler to Novcaski's larger 17-foot fiberglass vessel and did not return.
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1989-09-09
Vessel found
Daniel Jones' 13-foot Boston Whaler was found anchored just offshore from St. Lazaria Island with food, gas, and halibut still on board.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:September 9, 1989
Last Updated:May 21, 2026
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Phone: 9072695511
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Case Information
Incident:September 9, 1989
Last Updated:May 21, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 9072695511
You can remain anonymous