Matthew Andrews Craig was 24 when he disappeared into the Big Susitna River in June 1992 while canoeing about a quarter-mile upstream from the Parks Highway bridge near Talkeetna. As the canoe approached the bridge it capsized; his companion reached shore but Matthew was last seen clinging to the overturned canoe as the current carried him downstream. The last confirmed sighting placed him about a quarter of a mile below the bridge; roughly 20 minutes later the canoe was seen drifting alone about a mile and a half further downstream and Matthew was gone.

He was wearing blue pile pants, a pile fleece jacket, blue jeans, a brown Helly Hansen raincoat with a hood, and brown Sorrell boots. An extensive search by the Alaska State Troopers used boats, airplanes and helicopters to scour the river and banks, but no trace of Matthew Craig was found and the official search was eventually called off. The case remains an open missing persons investigation with no confirmed resolution.

If anyone was on or near the Big Susitna River that day or has information about Matthew’s movements, please share what is known.