The person at the center of this case
Yoshiko Funakoshi (age 58, female) and daughter Shima Funakoshi
Missing Person · Unsolved
22 years waiting · since 2003
Missing Person: Yoshiko Funakoshi
Justice for Yoshiko Funakoshi (age 58, female) 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 #1What caused the aircraft to crash? Was there mechanical failure, weather, or pilot error?
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location
Lead #2Why have extensive searches of the 75-foot-deep crash site been unsuccessful in locating the aircraft wreckage and passengers?
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clue
Lead #3Could the debris field extend beyond the initial search area, or has ocean current dispersal complicated recovery efforts?
Yoshiko Funakoshi, 58, and her daughter Shima were passengers on a Cessna 406 Caravan that departed Barrow, Alaska on August 17, 2003, bound for Wainwright but never arrived. Debris and an oil slick were discovered 10 miles northeast of Wainwright in ocean waters 75 feet deep, but neither passenger nor complete wreckage has been recovered. The case remains unsolved, with questions about what caused the crash and whether any remains might still be located 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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person
Lead #4Were there any witnesses to the flight departure or anyone who heard distress communications from the aircraft?
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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
Cessna 406 Caravan (N6591L) departed Barrow heading to Wainwright with Yoshiko and Shima Funakoshi aboard; aircraft crashed en route
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2003-08-17
Debris discovery
Debris and oil slick found 10 miles northeast of Wainwright in ocean waters approximately 75 feet deep
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