Alaska
‘If it wasn’t Michael, it was someone we cared about too’: Fisherman’s family left in limbo after two bodies found in Southeast
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – An Anchorage family is left in limbo after learning their son’s body was not one of the two found, after his fishing vessel capsized on Dec. 1.
Warren Brown told Alaska’s News Source on Wednesday that state medical examiners told him his son Mike Brown was not one of the two bodies found near the shoreline of Southeast Alaska.
“If it wasn’t Michael, it was somebody else that we care about too, on the crew,” Brown said. “I can’t explain the emotions…we grieve for the whole crew.”
Brown’s son was one of five crew members on board the fishing vessel Wind Walker, which capsized earlier this month. Crewmembers still missing include Travis Kapp, Alex Ireland, Emilio Celaya, and Jacob Hannah.
On Monday, two bodies were found near the debris of the Wind Walker.
“It’s devastating and I don’t know if we’ll ever get closure until all five are found,” Patricia Brown, Mike’s mom, said.
Celaya’s family shared with Alaska’s News Source on Wednesday that they have yet to hear an update. They have also declined an interview. Alaska’s News Source also reached out to both the Hannah and Ireland families but did not hear back from either.
Meanwhile, the Kapp family said they were not providing comment at the request of their attorney.
Brown said he is unsure if the information shared on Wednesday is consoling, as he and his wife continue to wonder where their son is.
The family plans to host a memorial to honor their son’s life and his fellow crew mates.
“These men, Michael, spent his last days and hours with,” Patricia Brown said. “We need to pay them tribute. It’s really important to.”
Alaska State Troopers have yet to release a formal update on the identification of the two bodies that were found on a shore near Hoonah Monday evening. Alaska’s News Source reached out to the examiner’s office for confirmation of the body not being Mike but has yet to hear back.
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