The person at the center of this case
Yoshiko Funakoshi (age 58) and daughter Shima Funakoshi
Missing Person · Open
23 years waiting · since 2003
Missing Person: Yoshiko Funakoshi
Justice for Yoshiko Funakoshi (age 58) and daughter 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 has no wreckage or remains been recovered from a crash site with known coordinates in relatively shallow 75-foot waters?
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vehicle
Lead #2What was the condition and maintenance history of Cessna 406 Caravan N6591L prior to the flight?
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location
Lead #3Could underwater surveys or sonar mapping of the crash site reveal the aircraft's location for recovery efforts?
Yoshiko Funakoshi, 58, and her daughter Shima were passengers aboard a Cessna 406 Caravan that departed Barrow, Alaska on August 17, 2003, bound for Wainwright when it crashed into the ocean. Debris and an oil slick were discovered approximately 10 miles northeast of Wainwright in waters 75 feet deep, but neither passenger nor additional wreckage has been recovered despite search efforts. The case remains unsolved, with questions persisting about the aircraft's final location and whether remains might yet be discovered in the remote Arctic waters.
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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 caused the aircraft to crash during what should have been a routine short flight between two Arctic communities?
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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
Aircraft Departure and Crash
Yoshiko and Shima Funakoshi departed Barrow aboard Cessna 406 Caravan (N6591L) heading to Wainwright; aircraft crashed en route
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2003-08-17
Debris Discovery
Debris and oil slick located approximately 10 miles northeast of Wainwright in ocean waters approximately 75 feet deep
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2003-08-17
Search Operations
Searches of the crash area were conducted but were unsuccessful in locating the aircraft or passengers
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:August 17, 2003
Last Updated:September 27, 2026
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Phone: 9078526111
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Case Information
Incident:August 17, 2003
Last Updated:September 27, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 9078526111
You can remain anonymous