On June 13, 2018, 23-year-old Dennis Westlock of Emmonak, Alaska, went boating on the Yukon River with a friend when their boat struck a submerged log. Both people were thrown into the river; a passing boater rescued the friend, who was treated for hypothermia, but Dennis, who was not wearing a life vest, could not be located. Search efforts were conducted by local responders and the Alaska State Troopers, who said alcohol was not a contributing factor. The official search was eventually called off and Dennis is presumed to have drowned.

Dennis graduated Emmonak School in 2013 and worked as a processor at a fish plant. Off-season he subsisted by trapping, logging, hunting, fishing, and berry gathering. At the time he had moved to Mountain Village to be with his girlfriend and their young daughter. He was remembered by his community for fixing bikes and snow machines and for playing basketball.

If anyone was on the Yukon River near Emmonak on June 13, 2018, or has information about that day, please share what you know.