Vanished on the Chilkat: The Unsolved Disappearance of Jason Allgood

A Quiet Morning Turns Mysterious

On June 17, 2010, Jason Daniel Allgood, a 36-year-old U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer stationed at the Dalton Cache border crossing near Haines, Alaska, embarked on a solo subsistence fishing trip along the Chilkat River. An avid outdoorsman and family man, Jason had planned to spend his day off tending to his newly acquired fishing net—a venture he had only recently begun exploring. He informed a friend of his plans and even posted about the outing on his Facebook page. However, when he failed to report for his 7 a.m. shift the following morning, concern quickly mounted.

Clues Along the Riverbank

The initial search led Alaska State Troopers to Jason's 2005 Kia Sedona van, discovered on the south side of the Chilkat River, just downstream of Wells Bridge at the confluence with the Klehini River. Nearby, his backpack was found adjacent to a staked subsistence net. Inside the backpack were his tennis shoes, wallet, and digital camera. Footprints indicated that Jason had changed into green chest waders and walked along the water's edge, traversing waist-deep sections of overflow while carrying his net, a cooler, and the backpack to reach his fishing spot. Notably, there was only one set of tracks leading into the area and none returning, suggesting he had not left the site on foot.

The Search Efforts

Search operations commenced promptly, involving Alaska State Troopers, fire crews, and volunteers. Four riverboats and a Coastal Helicopters chopper scoured the area between the fishing site and 17 Mile. Searchers used probes and grappling hooks to drag the river in the 75-foot-wide section where the rivers converge—a location known for its treacherous currents and described as a "washing machine" due to its unpredictable backwash. Despite these extensive efforts, no trace of Jason was found. The search was temporarily suspended on June 19 but resumed the following day after reports of hip boots floating near 6.5 Mile. Additional searches extended south to Pyramid Island, utilizing two riverboats, a Temsco helicopter, and two private airplanes. Approximately 30 individuals participated in the search, including Division of Parks personnel.

Theories and Speculations

Investigators considered several possibilities regarding Jason's disappearance. One theory suggested that his chest waders might have filled with water, making it difficult for him to stay afloat in the river's strong currents. Trooper Ricky Merritt noted that the combination of water-filled waders, river silt, and cold temperatures could have contributed to a sudden loss of footing or hypothermia. Additionally, the riverbanks and sandbars near the confluence were known to be unstable; a sandbar adjacent to Jason's net collapsed when a searcher stepped on it, indicating the potential for similar incidents....Read More

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