The person at the center of this case
Shima Funakoshi
Missing Person · Open
23 years waiting · since 2003
Missing Person: Shima Funakoshi
Justice for Shima Funakoshi — the trail went cold in 2003, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
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evidence
Lead #1Why were no remains recovered from the crash site despite debris being found in relatively shallow 75-foot waters?
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witness
Lead #2Were there any witnesses to the crash or distress signals from the aircraft before impact?
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vehicle
Lead #3What was the condition of the aircraft wreckage and could it provide clues about the crash circumstances?
Shima Funakoshi, a 30-year-old woman, disappeared on August 17, 2003, when a Cessna 406 Caravan aircraft carrying her and her mother crashed while flying from Barrow to Wainwright, Alaska. Debris and an oil slick were discovered approximately 10 miles northeast of Wainwright in ocean waters 75 feet deep, but neither passenger was ever located despite extensive search efforts. The case remains unsolved, with questions persisting about whether either victim might have survived or if remains could still be recovered from the crash site.
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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.
💡
clue
Lead #4Could advanced sonar or deep-water search technology locate additional wreckage or remains in the crash area?
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Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
Source Narrative
NamUs case MP98456. Missing person: Shima Funakoshi.
Last known contact: 2003-08-17 in Barrow, North Slope, AK. Circumstances: Shima and her mother, Yoshiko Funakoshi MP #98457, were aboard a 406 Caravan airplane with tail number N6591L that left Barrow heading for Wainwright when it crashed.
Debris and oil slick were found 10 miles northeast of Wainwright in an area of the ocean with a depth of 75 feet. Searches of the area were unsuccessful in locating them.
Demographics: 30 years, Female, Asian. Physical description: 5 ft 4 in, 125 lbs, hair: Black, eyes: Brown.
Investigating agency: North Slope Borough Police Department | 030000765 | 2003-08-17.
Timeline of Events
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2003-08-17
Aircraft Departure and Crash
Shima Funakoshi and her mother Yoshiko boarded Cessna 406 Caravan N6591L departing Barrow for Wainwright when the aircraft crashed
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2003-08-17
Debris Located
Debris and oil slick discovered approximately 10 miles northeast of Wainwright in ocean waters with depth of 75 feet
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:August 17, 2003
Last Updated:May 26, 2026
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Phone: 9078526111
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Case Information
Incident:August 17, 2003
Last Updated:May 26, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 9078526111
You can remain anonymous