Missing Persons

$25k reward, massive citywide search planned for Fairbanks’ missing persons

Updated: Apr. 2, 2021 at 10:00 PM AKDT

By Sarah Hollister

Community members rallied near downtown Fairbanks Friday in hopes of spreading awareness of a massive missing-persons search scheduled for breakup.

Missing Persons

MISSING IN ALASKA’S INTERIOR: Ernest Burggraf vanishes after leaving a late-night work shift

Updated: Mar. 27, 2021 at 4:46 PM AKDT

By Sarah Hollister

Ernest Burggraf went missing on March 19th, 2021. He was last seen near the Fairbanks Resource Agency after getting off a late-night janitorial shift. His car was found with the doors unlocked and the keys in the ignition.

Missing Persons

Missing Person Steven Hjelm found dead near Fairbanks apartment building

Updated: Mar. 26, 2021 at 1:52 PM AKDT

By Sarah Hollister

Missing person Steven Hjelm, 54, was found dead yesterday near the Week Field Estate Apartments. He has been missing since January 9th after leaving his sister’s apartment near South Cushman.

Missing Persons

REWARD $7,500: Troopers investigate the disappearance of Willis Derendoff as a homicide

Updated: Mar. 20, 2021 at 9:53 PM AKDT

By Sarah Hollister

Willis Derendoff has been missing since November of 2020. The Alaska State Troopers are investigating this case as a homicide. There is a $7,500 reward for information leading to his whereabouts.

News

The body of a 15-year-old girl was found on the tundra in Bethel

Updated: Mar. 18, 2021 at 12:58 PM AKDT

By Gilbert Cordova

The Bethel Police Department says the body of a 15-year-old girl was found Monday night after she was reported missing earlier that day.

Missing Persons

MISSING IN ALASKA’S INTERIOR: Doren Sanford disappears searching for lost dog

Updated: Mar. 8, 2021 at 9:46 PM AKST

By Sarah Hollister

Doren Sanford was last heard from in late August of 2020. His case is being investigated as a homicide.

Missing Persons

Missing Person: Police, volunteers search for missing 16-year-old girl in Utqiagvik

Updated: Mar. 2, 2021 at 5:42 PM AKST

By John Dougherty

The North Slope Borough Police Department is searching for a missing juvenile from Utqiagvik. 16-year-old Janice Richards was lasted seen on Wednesday February 24th between 7:30 and 8:00 p.m.

News

Juvenile reported missing from North Pole in fall 2020, is still missing

Updated: Feb. 8, 2021 at 5:27 PM AKST

By KTVF Staff Reporter

Julia Rice was reported as a runaway on 10-09-2020 at approximately 8:50 p.m. She was last seen leaving her foster parents’ home on Peridot Road in North Pole.

Missing Persons

Fairbanks woman previously reported missing has been found safe

Updated: Feb. 8, 2021 at 5:11 PM AKST

By KTVF Staff Reporter

According to a dispatch published by the Alaska State Troopers, on January 29, Troopers in Fairbanks received a tip about a possible location for missing person, Brandy Haferman.

Safety

’I’m scared,’ daughter of missing person, Steven Hjelm, searches for answers

Updated: Jan. 30, 2021 at 5:02 PM AKST

By Sarah Hollister

Steven Hjelm, 54, went missing on January 9th after leaving his sister’s house on 16th Avenue, headed towards a corner store on foot. He has not been heard from since that day.

Safety

MISSING IN ALASKA’S INTERIOR: Steven Hjelm vanishes on walk to corner store

Updated: Jan. 29, 2021 at 4:48 PM AKST

By Sarah Hollister

Steven Hjelm, 54, went missing on January 9th after leaving his sister’s apartment on 16th avenue near South Cushman Street.

Safety

Fairbanks Police locate missing woman after tip from local business

Updated: Jan. 28, 2021 at 5:52 PM AKST

By KTVF Staff Reporter

In a press release issued Thursday evening, the Fairbanks Police Department has announced that Kayce Smith, who was reported missing on January 9, 2021, has been located.

Safety

Missing juvenile found safe by Alaska State Troopers

Updated: Jan. 28, 2021 at 5:02 PM AKST

By Sarah Hollister

Johnathan Nakarak was found Wednesday after an anonymous tipster notified the Alaska State Troopers that he was staying in Salcha.

News

‘Call the FBI’, Fairbanks community pleads for help locating 8 missing individuals

Updated: Jan. 23, 2021 at 7:21 PM AKST

By Sarah Hollister

A vigil was held in Fairbanks for the high number of missing persons. Families pleaded with law enforcement to call on the F.B.I. for help.

Community

Fairbanks Police seeking public help in locating missing person

Updated: Jan. 20, 2021 at 5:02 PM AKST

By John Dougherty

The Fairbanks Police Department is seeking the public’s help in locating a missing adult. Steven Richard Hjelm, 54 was last seen at his sister’s house on January 9th.

News

A Huslia man’s mysterious disappearance leaves family asking for the public’s help

Updated: Nov. 21, 2020 at 8:07 PM AKST

By Sarah Hollister

Willis Derendoff, 34, has been missing since November 10th. His family is pleading for his safe return home. Anyone with information is asked to call the Alaska State Troopers 24-hour tip line at (907) 371-9989

News

Large search underway in Fairbanks for missing man, Willis Derendoff

Updated: Nov. 20, 2020 at 5:04 PM AKST

By Sarah Hollister

Willis Derendoff hasn’t been heard from since Tuesday, November 10th. He traveled from Huslis to Fairbanks and had a room at the Extended Stay America Hotel in Fairbanks. Anyone with information is asked to call the 24/7 tipline at 907-371-9989.

News

Alaska State Troopers: Four missing Alaska Native individuals in Fairbanks not connected

Updated: Nov. 17, 2020 at 4:47 PM AKST

By John Dougherty

Since August four Alaska natives have gone missing in and around the Fairbanks area. According to Alaska State Trooper Sergeant Melvin Colley, these cases aren’t connected.

News

Fairbanks man missing since Tuesday, family pleads for his safe return home

Updated: Nov. 14, 2020 at 5:17 PM AKST

By Sarah Hollister

Willis Derendoff, 34, is between 5′7″ and 5′10″ tall, weighs 160 pounds and has black-brown hair and brown eyes. He is an Alaskan Native originally from Huslia. Derendoff was last seen wearing a black leather jacket, red sleeper fleece pants and a possible beanie.

Community

Fairbanks man, missing for weeks, last seen on Airport Rd.

Updated: Sep. 18, 2020 at 2:50 PM AKDT

By Amanda Hanson

Alaska State Troopers are asking for help with another missing person.

Community

Community volunteers continue search for woman missing in Fairbanks

Updated: Sep. 2, 2020 at 4:08 PM AKDT

By Aaron Walling

Community volunteers have continued the search for a woman missing in Fairbanks.

Fire & Rescue

Elderly Nenana man reported missing, last known location near Standard Creek Rd.

Updated: Aug. 19, 2020 at 4:15 PM AKDT

By KTVF Staff Reporter

Frank Minano Jr of Nenana was reported missing to the Alaska State Troopers on August 17th, 2020. Search efforts began in the evening on the 17th with K9 units, aircraft, as well as searchers on the ground. His last known location is on or near Standard Creek Road off of the Old Nenana Highway on August 17th, 2020.