The person at the center of this case
John Atherton Dieterich
Missing Person · Unsolved
36 years waiting · since 1990
Missing Person: John Atherton Dieterich
Justice for John Atherton Dieterich — the trail went cold in 1990, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
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evidence
Lead #1What were the exact circumstances and cause of the Aleutian Enterprise capsizing in the Bering Sea?
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witness
Lead #2Were there any other vessels in the area that may have witnessed the disaster or attempted rescue operations?
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person
Lead #3Eight crew members were lost; were any bodies or remains ever recovered from the wreck site?
John Atherton Dieterich, a 31-year-old crew member, went missing on March 22, 1990, when the 162-foot fishing trawler Aleutian Enterprise capsized and sank in the Bering Sea off Dutch Harbor, Alaska. Eight crew members were lost in the incident, including Dieterich, and their fates remain unknown despite decades of investigation. Anyone with information about the vessel's final hours or potential survivors is urged to contact the Alaska State Troopers.
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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 vessel's maintenance and safety record prior to the March 1990 incident?
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Official wording
Source Narrative
NamUs case MP67278. Missing person: John Atherton Dieterich.
Last known contact: 1990-03-22 in Dutch Harbor, Aleutians West, AK. Circumstances: John was last seen on 03/22/1990 when the 162 foot fishing trawler, Aleutian Enterprise, capsized and sank in the Bering Sea with the crewmen aboard.
He is missing with Nelo Marciel (MP #67109), Joseph Alaimo (MP #66746), Matthew Schneider (MP #66931), Jeffrey Houston (MP #66905), Javier Valenzuela (MP #66739), David Jefferies (MP #66724), Robert McCord (MP #66701), and Robert Davis Jr (MP #67158). Demographics: 31 years, Male, American Indian / Alaska Native.
Physical description: 6 ft 0 in, 165 lbs, hair: Brown, eyes: Blue. Investigating agency: Alaska State Troopers | 900020277 | 1990-03-22.
Timeline of Events
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1990-03-22
Aleutian Enterprise Capsizes
The 162-foot fishing trawler Aleutian Enterprise capsized and sank in the Bering Sea with eight crew members aboard, including John Atherton Dieterich.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:March 22, 1990
Last Updated:May 21, 2026
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Phone: 9072695511
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Case Information
Incident:March 22, 1990
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