NOTN- Human remains discovered more than two decades ago in the Gastineau Channel have been identified as those of Darryl Bruce Fawcett, reported missing in 1999, authorities said Wednesday.
The Juneau Police Department, in coordination with the Alaska Department of Public Safety and the State Medical Examiner’s Office, confirmed the identification using new DNA analysis techniques made available this month.
Fawcett, who was said to be experiencing homelessness at the time, had not been in contact with family since September 1999. He was reported missing in December of that year after relatives became concerned when mailed checks were returned uncashed. Authorities said Fawcett may have briefly traveled to Yakutat, where local police confirmed he was seen before disappearing.
On March 13, 2004, a diver discovered human remains approximately 83 feet underwater in the Gastineau Channel near Merchant’s Wharf. The remains were recovered and submitted to the State Medical Examiner’s Office, but could not be identified with the forensic tools available at the time.
On July 21, 2025, the Alaska Scientific Crime Detection Laboratory implemented a new DNA extraction method capable of generating profiles from bones and teeth. Less than two weeks later, on July 31, officials confirmed the remains as those of Fawcett.
The Alaska State Troopers have notified Fawcett’s next of kin.
