DPS Priority Initiative
Missing & Murdered Indigenous Persons
The Alaska Department of Public Safety is committed to relentlessly pursuing justice for missing and murdered Indigenous persons across Alaska. This is a top priority backed by dedicated investigators, strengthened best practices, and community partnerships.
There is no waiting period to report someone missing
DPS Commitment to MMIP Investigations
A Statewide, all of department effort
DPS has expanded its ability to investigate MMIP cases, including cold case homicides and suspicious missing persons investigations involving Alaska Native people. In Fiscal Year 2025, Governor Mike Dunleavy and the Alaska Legislature funded four full-time investigators dedicated exclusively to MMIP cases, ensuring sustained, focused attention on this critical work.
These investigators are actively working cases across multiple regions of Alaska, tackling complex investigations that often involve remote locations, difficult terrain, and long-standing unanswered questions.
Strengthening Investigations
The Alaska Bureau of Investigation has strengthened its response to suspicious deaths and homicides by deploying additional troopers, investigators, and crime scene personnel at the earliest stages of an investigation.
DPS also ensures every missing person is entered into the federal NamUS database within 60 days, expanding information sharing and investigative reach nationwide.
Data, Transparency, and Accountability
DPS publishes a Quarterly MMIP Report to provide clear, validated data on missing Alaska Native and American Indian persons. These reports give the public a consistent, transparent look at case status, demographics, and investigative circumstances.
Alaska’s MMIP cases are often shaped by the state’s vast geography and extreme conditions. Environmental factors are believed to play a role in more than 75% of cases involving Alaska Native or American Indian individuals.
Partnership and Long-Term Commitment
DPS continues to work closely with Tribal leaders and our law enforcement partner agencies to strengthen response, improve outcomes, and build trust. The department has implemented nearly every recommendation from the Governor’s People First MMIP Council and has established the statewide MMIP Review Commission to examine unresolved cases and find best practices.
Quarterly Missing Indigenous Person Reports
DPS releases a quarterly report alongside many of our local law enforcement partners. The report is released around 6-weeks after the end of the quarter and includes statewide statistics of all missing persons reported within the quarter and also includes a list of all missing persons who are Alaska Native, American Indian, or those with a race that is unknown to law enforcement along with circumstance data.
Resources
Anonymous Crime Tips
Submit anonymous crime tips
NAMUS
National Missing & Unidentified Persons System
Missing Persons
See a list of active missing persons
Crime Victim Resources
Resources for victims of crime
Request AST Records
Request copies of AST reports and records