The person at the center of this case
Daniel Vern Alcantra
Missing Person · Open - Unsolved
41 years waiting · since 1985
Missing Person: Daniel Vern Alcantra
Justice for Daniel Vern Alcantra — the trail went cold in 1985, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
🔍
evidence
Lead #1Why were the horses found on the opposite side of the Kotsina River from where Daniel was heading? Did he attempt to cross the river?
⏰
timeline
Lead #2What happened between 11:00 AM on August 13th when Daniel left camp and August 14th when the horses were found? Was there a delay in the horses being discovered?
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location
Lead #3The boot was found near the lower Kotsina River drainage—does this indicate Daniel traveled downstream after a potential river crossing accident?
Daniel Vern Alcantra, a 36-year-old hunter, disappeared on August 13, 1985, while riding horses from a hunting camp in Alaska's remote Upper Cheshnina River area. The next day, his horses and dog were found alive on the opposite side of the Kotsina River with signs of struggle, and one of his boots was recovered nearby, but Daniel himself was never located despite extensive searches. The case remains unsolved, leaving open questions about whether he drowned crossing the river, was injured and unable to return, or met another fate in the wilderness.
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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.
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clue
Lead #4The saddle horse showed signs of rolling in the river with visible cuts and bruises. Could Daniel have been thrown and swept downstream?
🔍
evidence
Lead #5The dog was found alive with the horses—what does the dog's condition and behavior suggest about the events that occurred?
Have information about any of these leads?
Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
Source Narrative
NamUs case MP66803. Missing person: Daniel Vern Alcantra.
Last known contact: 1985-08-13 in Glennallen, Copper River, AK. Circumstances: Daniel left a hunting camp located in the Upper Cheshnina River at approximately 1100 on August 13, 1985.
He was riding one horse and leading a pack horse. On August 14th, hunters in the Upper Kotsina River Valley found two horses and a dog alive on the south side of the Kotsina River.
The saddle horse was cut and bruised and the saddle was damaged from rolling in the river. A boot belonging to Daniel was found near the lower Kotsina River drainage.
Despite numerous searches of the area, Daniel was never located. Demographics: 36 years, Male, White / Caucasian.
Physical description: 5 ft 10 in, 170 lbs, hair: Blond/Strawberry, eyes: Green. Clothing and accessories: Accessories: Belt .30-30 Winchester 41 Mag Revolver; Clothing: Blue plaid shirt Blue Levi jeans Brown bomber-type leather jacket with fleece lining Leather chaps; Footwear: Cowboy boots; Jewelry: Jade with diamond watch.
Investigating agency: Alaska State Troopers | 8555498 | 1985-08-15.
Timeline of Events
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1985-08-13
11:00Daniel departs hunting camp
Daniel left the Upper Cheshnina River hunting camp riding one horse and leading a pack horse
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1985-08-14
Horses and dog found
Hunters discovered two horses and a dog alive on the south side of the Kotsina River; saddle horse was cut and bruised with damaged saddle
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1985-08-14
Boot recovered
One of Daniel's cowboy boots was found near the lower Kotsina River drainage
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1985-08-15
Investigation begins
Alaska State Troopers initiated investigation; numerous searches of the area conducted with no location of the missing person
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:August 13, 1985 at 11:00 AM
Last Updated:September 26, 2026
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Phone: 9072695511
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Case Information
Incident:August 13, 1985 at 11:00 AM
Last Updated:September 26, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 9072695511
You can remain anonymous