The person at the center of this case
William Kent Watkins
Missing Person · Open
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.
Start here
Key leads to think about
🚗
vehicle
Lead #1What happened to the private vessel Loose Goose Too? Why was no wreckage ever recovered despite extensive searching?
👤
person
Lead #2What was the relationship between William Kent Watkins and Steven Scott Austin, and were there any known conflicts or concerns before departure?
⏰
timeline
Lead #3What was the intended destination and route after refueling in Seldovia? Did anyone see the vessel leave port?
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. He and fellow crew member Steven Scott Austin vanished without a trace despite an extensive U.S. Coast Guard search of Kachemak Bay and surrounding waters. Nearly three decades later, the circumstances of their disappearance remain unknown, and any information about the vessel or the two men could help solve this maritime mystery.
Try asking
Claim this imported case
A one-time $10 claim transfers this imported case workspace to your account. You get 10 uploads for this case, 25 daily AI questions for this case, and public tips with files route to you.
10 uploads25 AI questions/day
This does not start a subscription. When the included limits are reached, the Personal plan unlocks more workspace capacity.
More leads to consider
Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
🔍
evidence
Lead #4Were there any distress signals, radio communications, or sightings reported in the hours or days after October 21, 1997?
Have information about any of these leads?
Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
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
👁️
1997-10-21
afternoonLast known contact and refueling
William Kent Watkins and Steven Scott Austin purchased fuel in Seldovia aboard the private vessel Loose Goose Too
🕵️
1997-10-26
Coast Guard search initiated
USCG began comprehensive search of Kachemak Bay and lower Cook Inlet, but no trace of the vessel or men was ever found
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:October 21, 1997 at Invalid Date
Last Updated:May 21, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 9072695511
You can remain anonymous
Leave a comment
Comments
Case Information
Incident:October 21, 1997 at Invalid Date
Last Updated:May 21, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 9072695511
You can remain anonymous