Missing Does Not Mean Forgotten: The Power of Awareness this National Missing Persons Day

February 3 marked National Missing Persons Day, a day to bring attention to the 600,000 individuals who go missing in the United States each year.

Here in Alaska, there is a significantly higher rate of missing persons than the national average, with some sources citing an average of 2,250 disappearances annually within the mysterious "Alaska Triangle," a notorious region, roughly connecting Anchorage, Juneau, and Utqiagvik, which can run right through the Mat-Su, accounts for many of these disappearances. Over 20,000 people have reportedly vanished in this area since the 1970s.

Our state's vast, rugged terrain and harsh conditions can contribute to its disproportionately high rate, which can be double the national average, making it difficult to find missing individuals.

While some people leave voluntarily, others are abducted or murdered and have not been found. Some seemingly vanish without leaving any indication of what happened. The Alaska State Troopers want to remind people that the “24-hour waiting period” that many believe need before reporting someone missing is a myth, and instead encourage people who believe someone may be missing to contact law enforcement and file a report right away.

Regardless of the circumstances, families, friends and communities are left with heartache and hope for answers.

Here is just one of the missing from the Mat-Su, Aaron Naslund, who has been missing since Jan 31. For more information, please visit www.dps.alaska.gov/AST/ABI/MissingPerson