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 caused the Aleutian Enterprise to capsize? Were there weather conditions, mechanical failure, or other factors involved?
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person
Lead #2Eight other crew members disappeared with Dieterich—were there any survivors who could provide details about the sinking?
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clue
Lead #3No bodies were recovered from any of the nine missing crew members. Could remains still be located in the Bering Sea?
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. He and eight other crew members disappeared in the maritime disaster, with no bodies recovered. The case remains unsolved, and questions persist about the circumstances of the vessel's capsizing and whether any remains might still be located.
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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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timeline
Lead #4Why was there a 36-year gap before this case was formally documented in NamUs in 2026?
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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 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:September 27, 2026
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Case Information
Incident:March 22, 1990
Last Updated:September 27, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 9072695511
You can remain anonymous