Samuel M. Nerpel was eight years old when he disappeared on July 24, 1985, during a family boating trip near Kodiak, Alaska. The small skiff ran out of fuel and the occupants were left about 15 miles northeast of the northern tip of Shuyak Island. An attempt was made to swim to shore and Samuel, described as blond with blue eyes, about four feet tall and 85 pounds, was last seen wearing white long johns and blue jeans before he vanished in the cold waters.

The Alaska State Troopers conducted the search and investigation. The prevailing account treats this as a tragic accident with Samuel presumed to have drowned after the disabled skiff forced the family to try reaching shore by swimming. No evidence has emerged to suggest an alternative explanation.

Does anyone have memories of that 1985 Kodiak-area incident or information about the search efforts that summer?