The person at the center of this case
John Branner Fowler, Jr.
Missing Person · Unsolved - Presumed Deceased
38 years waiting · since 1987
Missing Person: John Branner Fowler, Jr
Justice for John Branner Fowler, Jr. — the trail went cold in 1987, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
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evidence
Lead #1What specific debris was recovered and where is it now? Could it provide clues about the vessel or circumstances?
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witness
Lead #2Were there any witnesses to the boating accident or rescue efforts? What accounts exist of the incident?
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clue
Lead #3Why was only an empty life raft found? What happened to the vessel and its other occupants, if any?
John Branner Fowler, Jr., a 43-year-old man, went missing on November 1, 1987, following a boating accident approximately 9 miles southwest of Sitka, Alaska. Only an empty life raft and debris were recovered from the scene, and he is presumed deceased. The case remains unsolved, with questions about the exact circumstances of the accident and whether all available evidence was fully documented.
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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 #4What were the exact conditions that day—weather, water temperature, visibility—that may have contributed to the accident?
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Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
Source Narrative
NamUs case MP67056. Missing person: John Branner Fowler, Jr.
Last known contact: 1987-11-01 in Ketchikan, Ketchikan Gateway, AK. Circumstances: John was last seen on 11/01/1987 during a boating accident 9 miles southwest of Sitka.
Per online resources, an empty life raft and some debris were all that was found. He is presumed to be deceased.
Demographics: 43 years, Male, White / Caucasian. Physical description: 6 ft 1 in, 200 lbs, hair: Brown, eyes: Brown.
Investigating agency: Alaska State Troopers | 870071168.
Timeline of Events
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1987-11-01
Boating Accident and Disappearance
John Branner Fowler, Jr. was last seen during a boating accident 9 miles southwest of Sitka, Alaska. An empty life raft and debris were found at the scene.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:November 1, 1987
Last Updated:June 16, 2026
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Phone: 9072695511
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Case Information
Incident:November 1, 1987
Last Updated:June 16, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 9072695511
You can remain anonymous