The person at the center of this case
William Kent Watkins
Missing Person · Open - Unsolved
28 years waiting · since 1997
Missing Person: William Kent Watkins
Justice for William Kent Watkins — the trail went cold in 1997, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
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vehicle
Lead #1What was the condition and seaworthiness of the private vessel Loose Goose Too at the time of departure?
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witness
Lead #2Were there any other vessels or witnesses in the area who saw the Loose Goose Too after it left Seldovia?
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evidence
Lead #3Why has no wreckage, debris, or remains ever been recovered despite extensive Coast Guard searches?
William Kent Watkins, a 50-year-old man, disappeared on October 21, 1997, while aboard the private vessel Loose Goose Too in Alaska's Cook Inlet after refueling in Seldovia. His companion Steven Scott Austin also vanished with him, and despite an extensive U.S. Coast Guard search of Kachemak Bay and lower Cook Inlet, no trace of the vessel or either man has ever been found. The case remains unsolved nearly three decades later, with the circumstances of their disappearance still unknown.
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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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clue
Lead #4What were the weather and sea conditions on October 21, 1997, in Cook Inlet that day?
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Official wording
Source Narrative
NamUs case MP67267. Missing person: William Kent Watkins.
Last known contact: 1997-10-21 in Soldotna, Kenai Peninsula, AK. Circumstances: William and Steven Scott Austin, MP#67224, were aboard the private vessel Loose Goose Too.
They purchased fuel in Seldovia on the afternoon of 10-21-1997. The USCG searched all of Kachemak Bay and the lower Cook Inlet, but no trace of the vessel or the two men were ever found.
Demographics: 50 years, Male, White / Caucasian. Physical description: 5 ft 10 in, 165 lbs, hair: Blond/Strawberry, eyes: Blue.
Clothing and accessories: Clothing: Blue jeans Dress shirt; Eyewear: Glasses; Footwear: Unknown type of shoes. Investigating agency: Alaska State Troopers | 970073181 | 1997-10-26.
Timeline of Events
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1997-10-21
afternoonLast known contact and fuel purchase
William Kent Watkins and Steven Scott Austin purchased fuel in Seldovia aboard the private vessel Loose Goose Too
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1997-10-21
Disappearance
Both men and the vessel vanished after leaving Seldovia
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1997-10-26
Coast Guard search initiated
USCG conducted extensive search of Kachemak Bay and lower Cook Inlet but found no trace of the vessel or the two men
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:October 21, 1997 at Invalid Date
Last Updated:September 26, 2026
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Case Information
Incident:October 21, 1997 at Invalid Date
Last Updated:September 26, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 9072695511
You can remain anonymous