The person at the center of this case
John Atherton Dieterich
Missing Person · Open
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 weather and sea conditions that led to the capsizing of the Aleutian Enterprise?
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clue
Lead #2Were there any distress signals or communications from the vessel before it went down?
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person
Lead #3Eight crew members disappeared together—were any bodies or wreckage recovered to aid identification?
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 near Dutch Harbor, Alaska. Eight crew members disappeared with the vessel in what appears to be a maritime disaster. Despite decades of investigation, the exact circumstances of the sinking and the fate of the crew remain unknown, making this case a significant maritime mystery.
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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.
⏰
timeline
Lead #4Why has the investigation remained open for over three decades with no resolution?
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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
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Case Information
Incident:March 22, 1990
Last Updated:May 21, 2026
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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