The person at the center of this case
Martin Raymond Coughlin
Missing Person · Open
28 years waiting · since 1998
Missing Person: Martin Raymond Coughlin
Justice for Martin Raymond Coughlin — the trail went cold in 1998, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
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vehicle
Lead #1What caused the single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza (N4479D) to go down over Juan de Fuca Strait? Was there a mechanical failure, weather event, or pilot error?
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evidence
Lead #2How much of the aircraft wreckage was recovered and what did the debris field reveal about the crash sequence?
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timeline
Lead #3What was the exact flight path and were there any distress calls or radar contacts recorded during the flight?
Martin Raymond Coughlin, a 53-year-old pilot, disappeared on October 3, 1998, while flying his single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza from his summer home in Haines, Alaska to Seattle. Parts of the aircraft were discovered in Juan de Fuca Strait, Washington, and Martin is presumed to have drowned in the crash. The exact circumstances of the flight failure and the location of the pilot's remains remain unknown, keeping this case open to investigation.
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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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person
Lead #4Were there any witnesses on the ground or water who observed the aircraft in distress or the crash itself?
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Official wording
Source Narrative
NamUs case MP67264. Missing person: Martin Raymond Coughlin.
Last known contact: 1998-10-03 in Juneau, Juneau, AK. Circumstances: Martin left his summer home in Haines heading for Seattle.
He was flying a single engine Beechcraft Bonanza with tail number N4479D. Parts of the plane were found in Juan De Fuca Straits, Washington.
Martin is presumed to have drowned. Demographics: 53 years, Male, White / Caucasian.
Physical description: 5 ft 9 in, 165 lbs, hair: Blond/Strawberry, eyes: Hazel. Clothing and accessories: Clothing: Blue jeans T-shirt (unknown color).
Investigating agency: Alaska State Troopers | 980068536 | 1998-10-13.
Timeline of Events
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1998-10-03
Martin Coughlin departs Haines
Martin Raymond Coughlin left his summer home in Haines, Alaska in his single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza (N4479D) heading for Seattle.
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1998-10-03
Aircraft last known contact
Last known contact with Martin Raymond Coughlin occurred on October 3, 1998 in Juneau, Alaska.
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1998-10-13
Aircraft wreckage discovered
Parts of the Beechcraft Bonanza (N4479D) were found in Juan de Fuca Strait, Washington. Martin is presumed to have drowned.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:October 3, 1998
Last Updated:September 27, 2026
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Phone: 9072695511
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Case Information
Incident:October 3, 1998
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