The person at the center of this case
Gaye Gardner McDowell
Missing Person · Unsolved
18 years waiting · since 2007
Missing Person: Gaye Gardner McDowell
Justice for Gaye Gardner McDowell — the trail went cold in 2007, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
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evidence
Lead #1What caused the helicopter to go down in Prince William Sound? Were weather conditions or mechanical failure factors?
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person
Lead #2Were there any witnesses on the water or shore who observed the helicopter or heard distress calls?
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location
Lead #3Why was debris recovered in Passage Canal but no bodies or additional wreckage found despite extensive search efforts?
Gaye Gardner McDowell, a 60-year-old woman, disappeared on December 3, 2007, when a LifeGuard helicopter she was aboard went missing in Prince William Sound near Whittier, Alaska. Debris was found in Passage Canal across from the Whittier Ferry Terminal, and an extensive seven-day search recovered no survivors. Two other passengers, Lance Brabham and Cameron Carter, also remain missing from the incident.
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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 #4What was the purpose and flight plan of the LifeGuard helicopter mission on December 3, 2007?
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Official wording
Source Narrative
NamUs case MP50771. Missing person: Gaye Gardner McDowell.
Last known contact: 2007-12-03 in Whittier, Chugach, AK. Circumstances: Gaye McDowell was reported missing Monday, Dec.
3, 2007, when the LifeGuard helicopter she was on was reported missing in Prince William Sound near Whittier, AK. Debris located across from Whittier Ferry Terminal in Passage Canal.
An extensive 7 day search found no survivors. Also missing are Lance Brabham and Cameron Carter.
Demographics: 60 years, Female, White / Caucasian. Physical description: 5 ft 2 in, 170 lbs, hair: Brown, eyes: Brown.
Investigating agency: Alaska State Troopers | 070101275 | 2007-12-03.
Timeline of Events
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2007-12-03
Helicopter reported missing
LifeGuard helicopter with Gaye McDowell and two other passengers reported missing in Prince William Sound near Whittier, AK
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2007-12-03
Debris located
Debris from the helicopter found across from Whittier Ferry Terminal in Passage Canal
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2007-12-10
Search concluded
Seven-day extensive search completed with no survivors found
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:December 3, 2007
Last Updated:September 12, 2026
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Phone: 9072695511
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Case Information
Incident:December 3, 2007
Last Updated:September 12, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 9072695511
You can remain anonymous