Steve Keel, 61, of Dover, Tennessee, disappeared on August 27, 2022, while on a caribou hunt near mile marker 349 on the Dalton Highway in the Deadhorse region of northern Alaska. He left camp to retrieve a pack of caribou meat about a half-mile away, wearing camouflage pants, a camo long-sleeved t-shirt and a camo Boonie hat, and told his hunting partner he would be right back. When he did not return, the partner raised the alarm and an extensive search followed.

Search efforts involved state and volunteer teams plus substantial aerial work; authorities spent over $200,000 on helicopter equipment and fuel. Steve’s backpack and walking poles were found, but no sign of him emerged. Camouflage clothing made aerial spotting difficult and the site’s lack of cell service hindered communication. A September 2023 report of possible human remains in a lake was later ruled not human by Alaska State Troopers.

Steve’s two adult sons and his hunting partner joined searches, and volunteers have continued looking, at times following clues such as boot prints and two caribou antlers arranged like an arrow. His wife Liz initially offered a $15,000 reward but later withdrew it to help fund ongoing searches. Does anyone who was in the Deadhorse or Dalton Highway area that week have information that could help locate Steve?