JUNEAU POLICE DEPARTMENT
6255 ALAWAY AVENUE JUNEAU, ALASKA 99801
Business (907) 586-0600
Fax (907) 463-4808
Integrity, Courage, Service, Respect
INFORMATION RELEASE
Date: 2017-12-06
From: Sergeant Shawn Phelps
Case or Incident: #171205-017
*** Updated 12/10/2021 ***
On 12/09/2021, the Alaska Crime Lab notified the Juneau Police Department that the human remains found on 01/06/2020, were identified as belonging to James Christopher Cole. Cole went missing on 12/05/2017, after a small boat he was riding in capsized near Aurora Harbor. Five people and a dog were reportedly in the boat when it capsized. Three of the people, including the dog, safely made it to shore. Cole and another male, identified as 48-year-old Juneau resident Sheridan Scott Stringer, were never located in the water.
Cole was 50-years-old at the time he went missing. Stringer was never located and he is still considered missing. Next of kin for Cole have ben notified of the positive identification.
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*** Updated 01/06/2020 ***
On 01/05/2020, at about 12:29 PM, the Juneau Police Department received a report of possible human remains found inside a shoe, located on the sea walk behind the Alaska Department of Labor building. Officers located the remains and determined they were human.
The shoe and the remains were very deteriorated and appeared to have been outside in the weather for a long time. The shoe was black in color and appears to be the type that would commonly be worn by a male. Due to the deteriorated condition of the shoe, the manufacturer, model, or size of the shoe could not be determined at this time.
Officers searched the surrounding area for any other signs of evidence, but nothing could be located.
The shoe and the remains will be sent to the Alaska Crime Lab for analysis to see if an identification can be made.
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On 12/05/2017, at about 9PM, a citizen called the Juneau Police Department saying they could hear screaming for help near the breakwater of Aurora Harbor.
Three people were located, recovered and treated at the hospital. Two adult males are believed to still be missing.
The initial investigation revealed 5 individuals and a dog were in a small boat near the harbor. The boat began to take on water and capsized. Two adult females were able to swim to the dock and got in another boat in an attempt to assist the three adult males in the water. One male was able to climb on to the capsized boat and was brought to the shore and waiting medical staff by the Coast Guard. The two adult females in the second boat made it to shore and were also treated by CCFR for exposure. The dog is being cared for by Animal Control.
The Coast Guard helicopter and boats are actively looking for two adult males in the Gastineau Channel.
This press release will be updated as more information comes available.
All factual allegations contained in this release are based upon preliminary investigation and are subject to change or clarification as the investigation continues. Any charges reported in this release are merely accusations and all persons named in this release are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.