The person at the center of this case
Eli Benjamin Michel
Missing Person · Open
3 years waiting · since 2023
Missing Person: Eli Benjamin Michel
Justice for Eli Benjamin Michel — the trail went cold in 2023, but the truth hasn't.
Start here
Key leads to think about
👤
person
Lead #1What was the experience level and preparation of both climbers for this West Ridge route?
📍
location
Lead #2Why have extensive searches of the Moose's Tooth area failed to locate either climber or evidence of their attempt?
💡
clue
Lead #3Were there any weather conditions, equipment failures, or communication issues that may have contributed to their disappearance?
Eli Benjamin Michel, a 34-year-old mountaineer, went missing on May 5, 2023, while attempting to summit the West Ridge of Moose's Tooth in Denali National Park, Alaska, alongside climbing partner Nafiun Awal. Despite extensive searches of the area, neither climber has been located. The case remains open as investigators work to determine what happened to both men in this remote and challenging alpine environment.
Try asking
Claim this imported case
A one-time $10 claim transfers this imported case workspace to your account. You get 10 uploads for this case, 25 daily AI questions for this case, and public tips with files route to you.
10 uploads25 AI questions/day
This does not start a subscription. When the included limits are reached, the Personal plan unlocks more workspace capacity.
More leads to consider
Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
👁️
witness
Lead #4Did any other climbers or park visitors observe Michel and Awal before or during their summit attempt?
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 MP104177. Missing person: Eli Benjamin Michel.
Last known contact: 2023-05-05 in Denali Park, Denali, AK. Circumstances: Eli and Nafiun Awal (MP104176) are both missing after they attempted to summit the West Ridge of Moose's Tooth in Denali National Park.
Searches of the area have been unsuccessful in finding them. Demographics: 34 years, Male, White / Caucasian.
Physical description: 5 ft 6 in, 145 lbs, hair: Brown, eyes: Brown. Investigating agency: Alaska State Troopers | AK23054558 | 2023-05-07.
Timeline of Events
👤
2023-05-05
Last known contact
Eli Benjamin Michel last contacted in Denali Park while attempting to summit West Ridge of Moose's Tooth with climbing partner Nafiun Awal
🕵️
2023-05-07
Investigation initiated
Alaska State Troopers opened case AK23054558 and began search operations
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:May 5, 2023
Last Updated:May 26, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 9072695511
You can remain anonymous
Leave a comment
Comments
Case Information
Incident:May 5, 2023
Last Updated:May 26, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 9072695511
You can remain anonymous