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Missing Angoon fisherman found dead after communitywide search
By Jasz Garrett
Juneau Independent
An Angoon man reported missing after going on a fishing trip Tuesday morning was found dead Wednesday afternoon, according to the Alaska State Troopers.
Roger Williams Jr., 35, was reported as an overdue boater at about 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, according to troopers. He was last seen at about 8:30 a.m. that morning after reportedly taking a 16-foot Lund skiff from the boat harbor to the ferry terminal to go cockle fishing.
The Angoon Search and Rescue Team located him on the shore near Danger Reef Point on Wednesday at 12:44 p.m. following a community search for Williams.
“We worked closely with our partner agencies in the maritime community, and we’re grateful for their support and help in search efforts,” said Rylan Singleton, a U.S. Coast Guard public affairs specialist in Kodiak, during an interview Wednesday afternoon. “And while the outcome is heartbreaking, we’re grateful for the coordinated efforts of every responder involved, and of course our thoughts and condolences remain with the family and loved ones and anyone affected by this tragedy.”
The Coast Guard sent its cutter Reef Shark and a helicopter from Air Station Sitka to search the area. On Tuesday at 8 p.m., the Coast Guard crew observed an unoccupied 16-foot Lund boat near the shoreline between Killisnoo Island and Angoon. Weather in Angoon on Tuesday reached a high of 49 degrees with five-foot seas.
The Coast Guard continued to search with assistance from Wrangell search and rescue teams. Singleton said the Coast Guard search spanned 170 square miles for a duration of over 14 hours.
After the Angoon search team found Williams deceased, a Village Public Safety Officer responded and found no signs of foul play, according to the troopers. Next of kin have been notified and his remains are being transported to the State Medical Examiner’s Office.
• Contact Jasz Garrett at jasz@juneauindependent.com or 907-723-9356.
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