The person at the center of this case
Lee Ellis Spencer
Missing Person · Unsolved
29 years waiting · since 1996
Missing Person: Lee Ellis Spencer
Justice for Lee Ellis Spencer — the trail went cold in 1996, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
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evidence
Lead #1What were the circumstances of the Tamra Dawn's sinking? Was there a distress call or witness accounts?
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witness
Lead #2Were there other crew members aboard the vessel who survived and can provide details about the incident?
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clue
Lead #3Why was Lee's body never recovered despite presumed drowning in a documented maritime disaster?
Lee Ellis Spencer, a 26-year-old fisherman, went missing on November 26, 1996, when the fishing vessel Tamra Dawn reportedly began sinking near Clarence Strait, approximately 2 miles from Point McCarty south of Ketchikan, Alaska. He is presumed to have drowned in the incident, though his body was never recovered. The case remains unsolved, and investigators continue to seek information about the circumstances of the vessel's sinking and any potential survivors or witnesses.
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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 was the condition and location of the fishing vessel Tamra Dawn after it sank?
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Official wording
Source Narrative
NamUs case MP67284. Missing person: Lee Ellis Spencer.
Last known contact: 1996-11-26 in Ketchikan, Ketchikan Gateway, AK. Circumstances: Lee is presumed to have drowned after the fishing vessel Tamra Dawn was reported to be sinking near Clarence Strait 2 mi from Pt McCarty and south of Ketchikan.
Demographics: 26 years, Male, White / Caucasian. Physical description: 6 ft 2 in, 165 lbs, hair: Brown, eyes: Blue.
Clothing and accessories: Clothing: Possibly wearing dry suit. Investigating agency: Alaska State Troopers | 960080088.
Timeline of Events
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1996-11-26
Fishing vessel Tamra Dawn sinks
Lee Ellis Spencer went missing when the fishing vessel Tamra Dawn was reported to be sinking near Clarence Strait, 2 miles from Point McCarty, south of Ketchikan, Alaska. He is presumed to have drowned.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:November 26, 1996
Last Updated:September 27, 2026
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Phone: 9072695511
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Case Information
Incident:November 26, 1996
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