Strange Unsolved Cases from Alaska

Across Alaska’s remote frontier, a series of disappearances and unsolved crimes reveal how isolation, wilderness, and silence can conceal the truth for decades.

• Source Material

  THE C-54 SKYMASTER VANISHING (1950)

  • Overview of the 1950 Yukon disappearance – Wikipedia

  • Documentary covering the missing Skymaster flight – YouTube

  • Historical deep dive into the enduring mystery – Smithsonian Magazine

  • Technical background on the Douglas C-54 aircraft – Warfare History Network

  • Context on Cold War aircraft accidents – BBC Reel

  • Initial news coverage of the disappearance – Newspapers.com

  • Follow-up story on search operations – Newspapers.com

  • Report on military response and missing crew – Newspapers.com

  • Ongoing investigation coverage and aftermath – Newspapers.com

  CELIA “BETH” VAN ZANTEN (1971, ANCHORAGE)

  • Detailed breakdown of the murder investigation – Leland Hale

  • Article examining possible Robert Hansen connection – The Line-Up

  • Analysis of suspects and psychological profiling – Leland Hale

  • Podcast discussion on the Van Zanten case – Murder in the Last Frontier

  • Initial 1971 report on her disappearance – Newspapers.com

  • Coverage of body discovery and police investigation – Newspapers.com

  • Follow-up article on potential leads – Newspapers.com

  • Later coverage revisiting the unsolved case – Newspapers.com

  DISAPPEARANCE OF SCOTT & AMY FANDEL (1978)

  • Overview of the case and timeline of events – Cold Case Explorations

  • National feature exploring leading theories – NBC News

  • Recent video article revisiting the mystery – DeepLore TV

  • In-depth analysis of possible scenarios – Robin Barefield on Medium

  • Case file summary for Amy Fandel – The Charley Project

  • Case file summary for Scott Fandel – The Charley Project

  • Initial coverage of the disappearance – Newspapers.com

  • Follow-up on search and investigation – Newspapers.com

  • Later press revisiting the unsolved mystery – Newspapers.com

  THE MURDER OF DOUGLAS CLEAVES (1985)

  • Official cold case summary and contact information – Anchorage Crime Stoppers

  • Comprehensive case overview and analysis – Unresolved

  • Feature article recounting the murder and aftermath – Anchorage Daily News

  • Initial 1985 report on the homicide – Newspapers.com

  • Follow-up coverage on police investigation – Newspapers.com

  • Details on discovery and evidence – Newspapers.com

  • Community reaction and ongoing inquiry – Newspapers.com

  • Later coverage reflecting on the unsolved case – Newspapers.com

  THE ALASKAN VILLAGE THAT DISAPPEARED

  • Overview of Portlock’s mysterious abandonment – Cold Case Explorations

  • Article exploring the legend of Nantinaq and alleged Bigfoot attacks – Black Beasts and Boogeymen

  • Documentary episode examining Portlock’s disappearance – YouTube

  • Local radio coverage on Discovery Channel’s Nantinaq series – KBBI

  • Background on Nantinaq in Alutiiq folklore – Cryptid Wiki