Florence Okpealuk 33 year of age was last seen in Nome, Alaska on August 31, 2020. She disappeared that afternoon after leaving a tent on West Beach near the Nome Port.
Background of Florence
Florence Helen Okpealuk was born in Alaska on August 26, 19870. She is the second youngest sibling of seven.
Florence is an Iupiat Alaska Native who grew up in Wales, a small village located approximately 100 miles northwest of Nome, Alaska. She is a graduate of Teller High School and the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
In 2013, a pregnant Florence relocated to Nome in the hopes of providing her daughter with better healthcare and education. She was a representative for Patient Financial Services at Norton Sound Health Corporation.
At the time of her disappearance, Florence shared an apartment in Nome, Alaska, with her boyfriend. She was reportedly struggling with alcoholism, and her family urged her to seek treatment.
Florence and the father of her six-year-old daughter shared joint custody. She enjoyed teaching her daughter Native Alaskan traditions and held a close relationship with her daughter.
Details of Disappearance
On August 29, 2020, Florence Okpealuk and her sister argued over her alcohol consumption.
At 4:00 pm on August 31, 2020, Florence was last seen exiting a tent on West Beach in Nome, Alaska.
Florence Okpealuk did not return home that day and has not been seen or heard from since. Her outerwear and footwear were discovered outside the tent.
At 6:15 pm, her family filed a missing person’s report with the Nome Police Department when they couldn’t contact her.
Investigation of Case
Florence Okpealuk, according to a bartender in Nome, left a bar on Front Street and went to West Beach to continue partying with a gold miner. The area, less than two miles outside of Nome, was a popular summer camping spot for gold miners.
A security camera captured a pickup truck on August 30, 2020, between 7:00 and 10:00 am near the Nome port, a day before Florence was reported missing.
On September 13, 2020, authorities announced that the driver and vehicle had been located, but did not provide any additional information in order to protect the investigation. The driver, whose name has not been disclosed, was not on the list of suspects.
Whereabouts
In relation to Florence Okpealuk’s disappearance, foul play is suspected. Currently, the investigation is active and ongoing.
The circumstances surrounding Florence’s disappearance are currently unknown, and she is classified as missing. Her case is still unresolved.
Appearance
Physical Description:
Born on August 26, 1987, an American Indian/Alaska Native female. Florence has black hair, brown eyes, a height of 5’2″ and a weight of 142 lbs.
Distinctive Physical Features:
Florence wears corrective lenses. She is devoid of scars, marks, and tattoos.
Clothing and accessories:
Florence left a jacket and a pair of shoes outside the tent she was last seen exiting. It is unknown what she was wearing at the time of her disappearance.
Investigating Agency
If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Florence Helen Okpealuk please contact the Nome Police Department at (907) 443-5262.
Resources & Further Information
Florence Helen Okpealuk #MP73491 – National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)
FBI Joins Search for Florence Okpealuk – Federal Bureau of Investigation – Anchorage
Florence Okpealuk August 31, 2021 – Find Flo – Facebook
Flo Okpealuk – Facebook