After almost ten months of uncertainty and hope, a Texas family’s disappearance in Alaska may finally be nearing closure.
The Alaska Dive Search Rescue and Recovery Team announced the discovery of a sunken vessel believed to be the boat that carried the missing family from Troy, Texas.
The Family Missing Since August 2024
The family includes 42-year-old David Maynard, his wife Mary, and their two sons, 11-year-old Colton and 7-year-old Brantley. They vanished on August 3, 2024, after their boat capsized in the icy Alaska waters.
Four other people on board survived and were rescued, but despite an extensive search led by the Alaska Department of Public Safety (DPS) and volunteers, the Maynard family was never found.
Recent Discovery Offers Hope for Closure
In early May 2025, a remotely operated vehicle found a sunken boat resting 180 feet below the water’s surface. The vessel was confirmed to be the one the Maynards were on the night they disappeared.
On May 27 and 28, dive teams, along with Alaska Wildlife Troopers and support groups, recovered the remains of three bodies from the wreckage.
These remains were sent to the State Medical Examiner’s Office for positive identification, and family members have been notified.
Search Continues for the Fourth Family Member
Efforts are still underway to recover the fourth missing family member from the vessel.
While this discovery brings heartbreaking news, it is an important step forward in solving a mystery that has deeply affected the Maynard family’s hometown and the Alaska community.