AK AK - Florence Okpealuk, 33, Nome, 31 Aug 2020

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Missing Nome woman is "loving" and "stubborn," friends say - Alaska Public Media
By
Emily Hofstaedter, KNOM - Nome September 22, 2020
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At the time she was last seen, Blaire believes that Flo was living in an apartment with her boyfriend. Flo was struggling with alcoholism, her sister said. Flo had some recent criminal charges, her first serious legal trouble. Blaire said that was something that gave her sister anxiety.

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The dispatch from the Alaska State Troopers says that Okpealuk was last seen on Nome’s West Beach, about 1-2 miles out of town, leaving a tent. She reportedly left a jacket and shoes outside.
 
Nome Public Safety Advisory Commission Not Involved in Florence Okpealuk Case and Not By Choice
September 25, 2020

THE CITY OF NOME SPENT OVER A YEAR ORGANIZING PUBLIC MEETINGS AND TRAINING SESSIONS TO CREATE THE NOME PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISORY COMMISSION. Yet, in the midst of an ongoing search for a local missing woman, the commission says they aren’t being utilized.

Snip

Nome’s Interim Mayor John Handeland, who is responsible for appointing the commissioners, said the Public Safety Advisory Commission (PSAC) wasn’t excluded on purpose.

“But there also was not anything that required action by anyone other than the police department.”

– John Handeland

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One of the key duties of the PSAC is to “promote and foster communication by and between members of the public and the public safety department.”

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As Commisioner Ellanna pointed out, the commission is comprised, by ordinance, of Alaska Native and non-Native women and men, including Elders. She says they can be a useful partner to the City of Nome because they, “always have their ears to the community.”

Much more at link...
 
Weekend search taking place for missing Nome woman
10 Oct 2020
  • the upcoming search will again focus on West Beach in Nome,
  • Okpealuk was last known to be around West Beach when she was reported missing on Aug. 31.
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Scott Weaver is an investigator newly hired by NPD. He said they continue to receive analyzed cellphone data provided by the FBI field office in Anchorage. As that continues to come in, Weaver hopes the Nome police can better direct their investigation.

“So, we’re still actively investigating some evidence that hasn’t even come in yet, which will help us hopefully, with some directionals and understanding where people were and who was where that could stir up a new lead for us,” Weaver said.

A spokesperson from the FBI did confirm that the Anchorage office continues to aid the Nome Police with technical assistance in this missing person’s case.
...
Numerous search and rescue efforts, including large community searches and trained cadaver dogs, have yielded no major breakthroughs thus far. Community-organized search efforts have brought volunteers and funding from across the state, including from regional communities like Brevig Mission, Teller, Wales and Savoonga. That’s been the most impressive and most helpful aspect of the whole search for Weaver, who is used to working with large police departments in Florida.

“Look at our department, we have like six or seven people that are officers,” Weaver said. “And maybe one or two that could help on the case at that time, because we’re still handling all these calls for service. So without the help of search and rescue efforts, and all the volunteers in town and the family members, we would have been at a loss, you know, it was a big help.”
...
Kawerak Inc. President Melanie Bahnke said in September that she offered to put Nome in touch with FBI resources when she realized that Okpealuk was missing.

“Thankfully they were already in touch with the FBI themselves, so I was really pleased when I found out about that,” Bahnke said.

As November presses on and police continue their investigation into Okpealuk’s disappearance, Weaver is hoping that some technical analysis will reveal a lead sooner rather than later. But Weaver also realizes that winter is no longer on their side.

“I know it’s becoming more difficult with the snow hitting the ground now,” he said. “So search and rescue efforts are going to become more strained with the weather.”
...
Anyone with any information regarding the whereabouts of Florence Okpealuk can call the Nome police at 907-443-5262. Callers can remain anonymous.
Police continue search for missing Nome woman last seen in August - Alaska Public Media
 
The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)
Missing Person / NamUs #MP73491

Florence Helen Okpealuk
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Date of Last Contact: August 31, 2020
Missing From: Nome, Alaska

Demographics
Missing Age: 33 Years
Current Age: 33 Years
First Name: Florence
Middle Name: Helen
Last Name: Okpealuk
Nickname/Alias: --
Sex: Female
Height: 5' 2" (62 Inches)
Weight: 142 lbs
Race / Ethnicity: American Indian / Alaska Native
Tribe Enrollment / Affiliation: Unknown

Circumstances
Location: Nome, Alaska
County: Nome Census Area
Missing From Tribal Land: No
Primary Residence on Tribal Land: No
Circumstances of Disappearance: Florence was last seen on West Beach in Nome coming out of a tent at approximately 1-2 mile on 08-31-2020 at 1600 hours.

Physical Description
Hair Color: Black
Left Eye Color: Black
Right Eye Color: Black

Clothing and Accessories
Clothing: Her last known clothing description is unknown. She left a jacket and shoes outside of the tent.

Contacts / Investigating Agencies
Nome Police Department
(907) 443-5262
Agency Case Number: 20-010717
Wade Harrison, Sergeant

Alaska State Troopers
(907) 269-5511
Agency Case Number: AK20061244
Malia Miller, Missing Persons Clearinghouse Manager
 
Florence Helen Okpealuk – The Charley Project
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  • Missing Since: 08/31/2020
  • Missing From: Nome, Alaska
  • Classification: Missing
  • Sex: Female
  • Race: Native American
  • Date of Birth: 08/26/1987 (34)
  • Age: 33 years old
  • Height and Weight: 5'2, 142 pounds
  • Medical Conditions: Okpealuk is an alcoholic.
  • Distinguishing Characteristics: Native American female. Black hair, black eyes. Okpealuk's nickname is Flo.
Details of Disappearance
Okpealuk was last seen coming out of a tent on West Beach about one to two miles outside Nome, Alaska at 4:00 p.m. on September 1, 2020. She has never been heard from again and her jacket and shoes were found left outside the tent.

Okpealuk left behind a six-year-old daughter, and her family stated she was an involved mother who was able to co-parent with the child's father. Few details are available in her case.

Investigating Agency
  • Nome Police Department 907-443-5262
 
DEC 5, 2022

Florence Okpealuk

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33-year-old Florence Okpealuk was last seen on West Beach in Nome, Alaska on October 14, 2020. According to Florence’s sister Blaire, a witness saw Florence leaving a tent on the beach at 4:00 p.m. Blaire told Dateline she found Florence’s shoes and jacket left outside of that tent. The Nome Police Department enlisted the help of the Alaska State Troopers and the FBI to aid in the search. Search efforts have included mini-submarines, helicopters and private citizens. In 2022, the Nome Police Department conducted a search using cadaver dogs. Florence is 5’2”, 142 lbs., with black hair and eyes. She has no scars, marks or tattoos. It is unknown what Florence was last seen wearing or which direction she was headed when she left the tent on that beach. If you have information about Florence’s disappearance please contact the Nome Police Department at (907) 443-5262.
 
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