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William Matthews Missing Person Case

Last seen in Ketchikan, Alaska on May 24, 1997

Victim Details

Mar 17, 2020

Aug 16, 2023

William

Matthews

110

81

70 inches

185 lbs

American Indian / Alaska Native

Male

May 24, 1997

Ketchikan

Alaska

Ketchikan Gateway Borough

No

77628

Alaska State Troopers

Anchorage

Alaska

Anchorage Borough

99507

Malia Miller

Missing Persons Clearinghouse Manager

5700 East Tudor Road, Alaska

9072695511

State

Law Enforcement

970033530

1997-05-25

Alaska State Troopers

na

Gray or Partially Gray

Black

Black

No

07/28/2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

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On May 24, 1997, 81-year-old William 'Buzz' Fred Matthews and his companion, Norman Paul, departed from Ketchikan, Alaska, in an 18-foot blue and white vessel named the 'Delight.' This would be the last time anyone would see Matthews alive. The following day, a cooler identified as belonging to the two men was discovered approximately 10 miles southwest of Sitka, between St. Lazaria and Biorka Island. The discovery of the cooler initiated a search for the two men and their ve ...
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Last Seen: May 24, 1997

Links to Additional Sources (1)

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    Forum Posts (3)

    I've been digging into the case of William and Norman Paul, and one detail that keeps standing out t... ...Read More
    10/15/2024
    I've been following the case of William and Norman Paul and recently read about the discovery of the... ...Read More
    11/02/2023
    Has anyone done a deep dive into the weather conditions on May 25, 1997, around the area where Willi... ...Read More
    08/29/2023
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