Search for missing Valdez woman leads to burned vehicle from Caribou Hotel fire.

The Valdez Police Department (VPD) has been seeking information on the whereabouts of 86-year-old Mary Jo Evans, who was last seen in Valdez November 5, 2025. Reports indicate that Mary may be driving her blue 2020 Ford Escape with AK Plate JTD365 and had plans to travel to Anchorage on or about November 11 or 12, 2025.

In an update released to social media, VPD provided information that on November 24 a resident of Glennallen reported seeing a severely damaged car in the parking lot of the Caribou Hotel, similar to the one reportedly driven by Evans.

The Caribou Hotel, Glennallen’s only hotel, burned to the ground on November 13, 2025. At the time, everyone was reported to have safely escaped. At least five vehicles in the parking lot were damaged by the fire, and some were totaled, according to Troopers.

After conferring with Alaska State Troopers, and responding to the scene, AST confirmed that the vehicle in question did belong to Evans.

Efforts to locate Evans have been extensive and have included assistance from the Alaska State Troopers’ Patrol and Aircraft Sections, Canada Border Services Agency, Anchorage International Airport Police, as well as multiple cellular providers and Ford’s satellite tracking service. However, no new leads have emerged in the search for Evans.

AST states that she remains missing at this time and the AST and Alaska State Fire Marshal’s Office have assumed responsibility for the case.

This is a developing story.