As theories faded, another boy went missing

WASILLA — Among the faces of missing children in Alaska, two are from the Valley — Michael Palmer, for whom the 10th anniversary of his disappearance is next month, and David Borer.

Borer’s 28th birthday passed in March. The 20th anniversary of his disappearance came just over a month later.

He was last seen on April 25, 1989, when he was 8 years old. His sister was the last to talk to him. He told her he was going out to play on a sandbar near his family’s home at Mile 83 of the Parks Highway, near the Kashwitna River.

For the rest of the summer, his disappearance made headlines in the Valley. His mother, Linda Borer gave long interviews to reporters. His father, Mike Borer, from whom Linda was divorced, also gave interviews.

Initially, Alaska State Troopers and borough searchers focused on two theories — either young David got picked up on the highway, or he fell into the icy Kashwitna.

Divers went into the water but came up short.

The other theory, that David was kidnapped, seemed to gain the most traction. It seemed logical. Frontiersman reports at the time referred to David as an adventuresome lad who once hitchhiked by himself into Wasilla.

Alaska State Troopers, with help from search dogs, Boy Scouts and even, according to one account dated Aug. 2, 1989, a Chicago-based psychic, combed the area on multiple return trips over the summer.

More than a month after he disappeared, troopers investigated a theory that a bear might have grabbed the boy. Family members interviewed at the time viewed that theory with extreme skepticism and even scorn, fearing it would distract from the search for a kidnapper.

As the summer wore on, rewards were offered. A foundation to pay for the search was set up. But there was still no sign of the boy.

As summer changed to fall the news stories, like the search effort, slowly dwindled.