The person at the center of this case
John Branner Fowler, Jr.
Missing Person · Open - 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 from the accident scene and could it provide clues about the vessel or circumstances?
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witness
Lead #2Were there any witnesses to the boating accident who could describe what happened?
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clue
Lead #3Why was the life raft empty and what does this indicate about the sequence of events?
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, leading authorities to presume he did not survive. The case remains open with the Alaska State Troopers, and any information about the circumstances of the accident or potential recovery efforts would be valuable to investigators.
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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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vehicle
Lead #4What vessel was involved in the accident and what was its condition when found?
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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:September 27, 2026
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Phone: 9072695511
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Case Information
Incident:November 1, 1987
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