Case Details
- Photo URLs:
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- Missing Since:
- Missing Since 11/03/2018
- Missing From:
- Missing From Purches Creek Valley, Alaska
- Classification:
- Classification Lost/Injured Missing
- Gender:
- Male
- Race:
- Race White
- Date of Birth:
- Date of Birth 04/28/1977 (47)
- Age:
- Age 41 years old
- Height and Weight:
- Height and Weight 6’1, 145 pounds
- Clothing/Jewelry Description:
- Clothing/Jewelry Description A light jacket and black sweatpants.
- Distinguishing Characteristics:
- Distinguishing Characteristics Caucasian male. Brown hair, green eyes. Kostenko speaks Russian as well as English.
- Details of Disappearance:
- In August 2018, Kostenko hiked 14 miles to a small cabin in a remote Alaskan valley to spend several months alone, searching for life’s meaning. He brought minimal supplies: a phone, a solar charger, oatmeal, and a backpack—no gun or bear spray, which is unusual for that area.
He stayed in touch via text message. Hunters dropped off food in September. A friend saw him in late October. Then, the texts stopped.
Worried friends flew over in November and saw him at the cabin. They dropped off food. When they returned in December, the cabin was empty and locked from the outside with a metal sheet nailed over the door. Inside, everything was in order, except for a Russian note saying “frankincense aroma — do not burn.” A food drop was found untouched nearby.
His phone last pinged on December 3rd. A long, dangerous hike in winter without proper clothing and while fasting would’ve been very risky.
Kostenko, originally from Russia, moved to the US and lived a simple, spiritual life. His family believes he died in an accident in the wilderness. Despite a large search, he was never found.
- Agency:
- Alaska State Troopers 907-745-2131
- Source Links:
This person was missing Missing Since 11/03/2018