Alaska Department Of Public Safety,State Troopers Public Information Office

Dispatch Text:

Update:

On October 28, 2026, at 12:44 pm, Angoon SAR located Roger Williams Jr. deceased, on the shore near Danger Reef Point. A VPSO responded and found no signs of foul play. Williams' remains are being transported to the State Medical Examiner's Office. Next of kin have been notified.

Original:

On October 27, 2026, at 5:31 pm, the Alaska State Troopers received a report of an overdue boater, 35-year-old Angoon resident Roger Williams Jr., who was last seen at 8:30 am, that morning. Williams was taking a 16' Lund skiff from the boat harbor to the ferry terminal to go cockle fishing and has yet to return. The Coast Guard was contacted, and they sent a helicopter to search the area. At 8:00 pm, the Coast Guard crew observed a 16' Lund skiff, unoccupied, near the shoreline between Killisnoo Island and Angoon. Williams was last seen wearing a brown Carhart jacket, black Carhart pants, and boots. Weather in Angoon on the the 27th reached a high of 49 degrees, with 5-foot seas. The Coast Guard is continuing to search using their helicopter and Wrangell SAR teams have been activated to assist in the search.