Remains Found on Nunivak Island Identified as Missing Hunter
Human remains discovered on Nunivak Island, Alaska, in 2009 have been identified as George Smith Sr., a 79-year-old Togiak hunter who disappeared 17 years prior after his snow machine broke through river ice during a hunting trip.
Portland, OR, August 6, 2026 —
Human remains discovered on Nunivak Island, Alaska, in 2009 have been positively identified as George Smith Sr., a 79-year-old Togiak resident and hunter. Smith had been missing for 17 years prior to the discovery.
The identification concludes a long period of uncertainty for Smith’s family. He disappeared in 1992 while on a hunting trip. According to details surrounding his disappearance, Smith’s snow machine reportedly broke through river ice, leading to his vanishing.
The discovery of the remains occurred in 2009 on Nunivak Island. The process of identifying the remains took significant time. Officials involved in the identification have not provided further details regarding the exact location of the discovery on the island or the specific circumstances leading to the identification beyond the match to George Smith Sr.
Smith was a well-known hunter from Togiak, a community on the southwestern coast of Alaska. His disappearance in 1992 marked a significant loss to his community and family. The recovery and identification of his remains offer a resolution after nearly two decades.
Story summarized from the original created by Chris Pugh on www.oregonlive.com, see more information here.
