Name: Steve W. Keel
Nickname: Smiley
Age: 61 years old
Last seen: August 27, 2022
Location: Deadhorse, Alaska
Status: Still missing
Case Information
61 year old Steve Keel was last seen in Deadhorse, Alaska on August 27, 2022. He disappeared while on a caribou hunting trip.
Background
At the time of his disappearance, Steve lived in Dover, Tennessee with his wife of 38 years, Liz. They have two adult sons.
Steve worked as an electrician Dover, and is a Marine veteran. He is an avid outdoorsman who taught both of his sons outdoor survival skills.
Disappearance
On August 20, 2022, Steve Keel and his friend Bryan Collins arrived in Alaska for a caribou hunting trip. They had gone on multiple hunting trips over the past 10 years, but this was their first time traveling to Alaska.
After arriving they drove about 500 miles north to Deadhorse, a remote area in northern Alaska. They set up camp near mile Marker 349 on Dalton Highway, about 60 miles south of Deadhorse.
On August 27, 2022, Steve headed off to retrieve a pack of caribou meat located about a half mile away from their camp, telling Collins he’d be right back. Steve never returned and hasn’t been heard from since.
Collins wasn’t initially worried as it isn’t unusual for hunters to get separated, but after he didn’t return for a day he knew something was wrong.
Investigation
In the days following his disappearance, Keel’s two adult sons, who are both avid outdoorsmen, traveled to Alaska to aid in the search along with Collins, but no clues as to his whereabouts have been found.
According to authorities, an extensive ground search was conducted and over $200,000 was spent on helicopter equipment and fuel to aid in the search for Steve. They say the fact that he was wearing camouflage made the helicopter searches more difficult.
Another challenge has been that there’s no phone service in the remote area where Steve went missing, only SAT phones work.
A $15,000 reward was offered by Steve’s wife Liz in September 2022. She withdrew the reward in January, stating that the money will go to help cover the expenses of the four search groups who have continued to search for him.
On September 15, 2023, it was announced that remains believed to belong to Steve had been found in a lake by search crews. However, state troopers later said the remains were not human.
Whereabouts
The location of Steve Keel remains unknown. None of the searches in the area where he went missing from have turned up any clues as to his whereabouts.
Appearance
61 year old white male with gray hair. Steve stands 5″7 tall and weighs 200 pounds.
It is believed Steve was wearing a camouflage boonie hat, a Mossy Oak long sleeve shirt, and digital camouflage pants when he disappeared.
Investigating Agency
If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Steve Keel please contact the North Slope Borough Police Department at (907) 852-6111, or the Alaska State Troopers (907) 269-5511.
Resources & Further Information
Steve W. Keel – NamUS
Search for Steve – Facebook
News & Media Links
Dover Woman Hopeful Missing Husband Will Return For Holidays – WSMV
Friend Speaks Out About Last Time He Saw Missing Hunter on Alaska Trip – WVLT
Reward For Missing Dover Man Withdrawn – WSMV
Search Continues For Missing Dover Man in Alaska – WKRN
Alaskan Search Team Raising Money to Search For Missing TN Hunter – MSN
Sons Join Search For Missing Tennessee Hutner in Alaska – News Channel 5
Videos & Flyers
What made them go to Alaska for the first time ? . However well versed and trained that you are , to go out on your own does not seem to be safe, in an unknown area ? . When Bryan could not go with Steve on his trips , who went with him ? . Did Stevs ‘sons work with their dad as electricians ? . Were there any other hunters at the same time or was there before them ? . The groups that are looking for Steve are they only family , Friends and co -workers ? .