ALASKA / TROY, Texas (KWKT) Alaska divers have recovered a fourth set of human remains believed to be a member of the Maynard family, according to the Alaska Department of Public Safety.
The Maynards 42-year-old David Maynard, 37-year-old Mary Maynard, 11-year-old Colton Maynard, and 8-year-old Brantley Maynard have been missing since early August 2024 when the small boat they were on capsized in the waters off Alaska, Nexstar’s KWKT previously reported.
The 28-foot aluminum boat was carrying eight people total when it began taking on water about 16 miles from Homer, off the coast of the Kenai Peninsula. The Coast Guard said it received a call about the boat and notified area vessels of the situation.
A nearby boat, Salty Sea, was able to catch up to the boat and rescue four people from a life raft, according to the Coast Guard. Multiple assets were called in to search for the remaining passengers, the Maynard family, but efforts were called off after nearly 24 hours.
Earlier this year, efforts to recover the vessel resumed.
In April, Alaska Wildlife Troopers were contacted by Support Vessels of Alaska, Vision Subsea, and Benthic Geoscience Inc., which offered the use of their tools to search for the missing boat.
Ultimately, the vessel was found in early May in 180 feet of water. It was later identified by a remotely-operated vehicle, which also confirmed that possible human remains were still onboard.
In late May, volunteers from the Alaska Dive Search, Rescue, and Recovery Team, with assistance from wildlife troopers, conducted dive operations into the vessel. Three sets of remains were recovered and taken to the State Medical Examiner’s Office for positive identification and autopsy. Next of kin have been notified, according to authorities.
This week, additional dives were conducted at the boat. Additional human remains were recovered and are now awaiting an autopsy and positive identification.
Troopers and divers believe the remains belong to the Maynard family.
No additional details were immediately available.
