Fred Burk was a 30-year-old Athabaskan Alaska Native from Manley Hot Springs who vanished on May 17, 1984, after joining neighbors at the Tanana River boat landing. By evening trucks were left at the river’s edge and no one returned. Blood and spent cartridges were found at the landing, and a motorized boat belonging to Burk was later seen being taken from the scene by a drifter identified as 25-year-old Michael Silka.

Troopers widened the search down the Tanana River. In the weeks afterward the river yielded several victims; Burk’s body was recovered downstream rather than at the quiet launch where the outing began. On May 19, troopers encountered Silka during an airborne search; Silka opened fire, killing Trooper Troy L. Duncan, and troopers returned fire, killing Silka. With the suspect dead, there were no arrests and no prosecution of the killings.

Did anyone who knew Fred or who was at the landing on May 17 come forward with details that helped piece together the route those boats took downriver?