Florence Okpealuk went missing on Aug. 30, 2020, leaving behind her belongings in a miner’s tent in Nome, Alaska. Despite efforts from the Nome Police Department, Alaska State Troopers, FBI, Nome Volunteer Fire Department Search and Rescue Team, and U.S. Coast Guard, no trace of her has been found. The case has now been featured in a new episode of the podcast “Up and Vanished” to raise awareness about her disappearance and potentially uncover new leads.
Okpealuk was last seen leaving the tent on West Beach, which is commonly used by gold miners for camping. It is believed that she may have been with a gold miner at the time of her disappearance. Her friend Deilah Johnson reached out to podcast host Payne Lindsey to shed light on the case. Lindsey emphasized the lack of resources in Nome and the difficulty of solving such a puzzling missing persons case with limited information. It is suspected that Okpealuk may have been with an individual who potentially had a role in her disappearance.
Okpealuk moved to Nome in 2013 while pregnant in search of better healthcare and schooling for her child. Despite personal struggles, including alcoholism, her friends and family believe she would not abandon her daughter. Johnson emphasized that leaving Nome without a Boeing 737, dog sled, or cruise ship would be nearly impossible, making Okpealuk’s disappearance all the more suspicious. She is one of thousands of missing indigenous women and girls in the U.S., highlighting the larger issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women (MMIW).
The National Crime Information Center reports a significant number of missing American Indian and Alaska Native women and girls, with a high prevalence of violence in their lives. Johnson stressed the need for increased awareness and accountability in investigations involving missing indigenous women. Lindsey expressed hope that the podcast would encourage community members to come forward with any information they may have, leading to new leads in Okpealuk’s case. He emphasized the importance of continuing the search for the truth and bringing closure to the case.
Despite the challenges and sensitive nature of the case, Lindsey and Johnson are determined to keep Okpealuk’s memory alive and uncover the truth about her disappearance. They believe that with the podcast shining a light on the case, more community members will come forward, potentially leading to new information. They are hopeful that someone will eventually provide the missing piece of information needed to solve the mystery. Anyone with information about Okpealuk’s whereabouts is urged to contact the Nome Police Department anonymously. The search for answers continues as Okpealuk’s loved ones seek closure and justice for her.
