The person at the center of this case
Yoshiko Funakoshi
Missing Person · Open
22 years waiting · since 2003
Missing Person: Yoshiko Funakoshi
Justice for Yoshiko 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 #1Debris and oil slick found 10 miles northeast of Wainwright in 75-foot-deep ocean waters—what caused the crash and why were no bodies recovered?
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person
Lead #2Yoshiko's daughter Shima Funakoshi (MP #98456) was also aboard the aircraft; both remain missing
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vehicle
Lead #3Cessna 406 Caravan with tail number N6591L—what mechanical or weather factors led to the crash?
Yoshiko Funakoshi, a 58-year-old woman, disappeared on August 17, 2003, when a Cessna 406 Caravan airplane carrying her and her daughter crashed while flying from Barrow to Wainwright, Alaska. Debris and an oil slick were discovered 10 miles northeast of Wainwright in ocean waters 75 feet deep, but neither passenger has been recovered. Despite extensive search efforts, the circumstances of the crash and the fate of the victims remain unknown, making this case a significant maritime mystery in Alaska's Arctic region.
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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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location
Lead #4Why was the crash site in deep ocean waters, and what search limitations prevented recovery of the aircraft or passengers?
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Official wording
Source Narrative
NamUs case MP98457. Missing person: Yoshiko Funakoshi.
Last known contact: 2003-08-17 in Barrow, North Slope, AK. Circumstances: Yoshiko and her daughter, Shima Funakoshi MP #98456, 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: 58 years, Female, Asian. Physical description: 5 ft 4 in, 130 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
Airplane Departure and Crash
Yoshiko Funakoshi and her daughter Shima departed Barrow aboard Cessna 406 Caravan (N6591L) heading to Wainwright; aircraft crashed en route
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:August 17, 2003
Last Updated:May 21, 2026
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Phone: 9078526111
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Case Information
Incident:August 17, 2003
Last Updated:May 21, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 9078526111
You can remain anonymous