The strange disappearance of Kevin Robert O'Keefe from Glacier Bay National Park
Kevin Robert O'Keefe disappeared October 8, 1985, Wolf Bay, Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska
Revised September 2024
In late September 1985, Kevin O'Keefe, 36, went alone to the isolated Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska for a series of wilderness hikes. Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve occupies the northernmost section of the southeastern Alaska coastline, between the Gulf of Alaska and Canada. Keith was an experienced outdoorsman who lived in Sacramento, California. He arrived in Juneau on September 20th. Two days later, he took a floatplane to Muir Inlet, north of Wolf Point, to establish a base camp.
On October 8, 1985, National Park Ranger David Nemeth and his partner spotted O'Keefe's tent near the high tide line, as well as various bits of debris. After further investigation, they found a broken center pole. Since the rangers believed that the tent occupant, who was on a day hike, had secured the tent and left the belongings they found in place, they decided they would return the following day to check on the occupants.
The day following the initial discovery of the tent, rangers went back to the campsite, but again, there was no sign of life, and the tent looked like it had not been slept in overnight. The Rangers left and informed Alaska State Troopers for additional assistance in searching the vicinity of the camp location.
About 100 park rangers with dogs searched Wolf’s Point and Glacier Bay, but there was no sign of Kevin anywhere. The search continued for another two weeks but was unsuccessful, and they were forced to call it off.
After discovering that Kevin O'Keefe was the campsite owner and was due to return from the park on October 10, officials contacted relatives. They confirmed that he would be making short day hikes and would not be making overnight trips. Rangers found supplies at several locations around the site, including food, a sleeping bag, and a backpack, indicating he had not left the campsite for a day walk.
A pair of boots, a glove liner, and a hat were also discovered several hundred yards from the campsite in a gully out of sight from the camp. Not having these items would be potentially deadly in Alaska at this time of the year.
Rangers reported no bear tracks or any signs of an animal attack.
It is bizarre that Kevin's tent was damaged, and his boots were found nearby. Was he disturbed whilst he slept?
The investigators were utterly perplexed. It was as if Kevin had vanished off the face of the earth. No sign of O'keefe has ever been found.
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