Joseph Balderas, 36, disappeared from Nome, Alaska after leaving his job at the Nome Second District Court on June 24, 2016. He failed to report for work on June 27 and his fiancée could not reach him, which was out of character. His pickup was found the same day abandoned at mile marker 44 of the Nome-Council Highway, a remote stretch where he was believed to go hiking or mountain running.

Searchers found his backpack with fishing gear, waders, and a pair of boots inside the unlocked truck, but there was no sign of Joseph. An intensive multi-agency search with ground teams, aircraft, and search dogs covered rugged terrain before the official effort was suspended after about a week for lack of new evidence and safety concerns. He was legally declared deceased in 2017, though his family has maintained suspicions of foul play and increased a reward for information. The roommate gave inconsistent statements, but a search of their shared residence showed no signs of struggle.

Does anyone have information about Joseph’s movements in Nome in late June 2016 or about activity along the Nome-Council Highway around mile marker 44?