Additional law enforcement, army helicopters, and search dogs have been brought in to assist troopers in the search for the missing couple from Tennessee.
By Paul Choate, Tim Rockey, Shannon Cole and Nolin Ainsworth
An infant for whom an Amber Alert was issued has been found safe in Anchorage and the suspect in the kidnapping — and a related homicide — has been arrested.
Officials said there is a concern for Kimberly Bridges' well-being. She has mental and physical disabilities and recently spoke of suicide. Bridges reportedly took a firearm with her.
Gladys Derendoff flew into Fairbanks just days after her son first disappeared in November of 2020. She has conducted dozens and dozens of searches, but his disappearance remains a mystery.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
