Alaska News

Search for Valerie Sifsof south of Anchorage ramps up again

It's been nearly a year since Valerie Sifsof disappeared, and now that the winter snows have largely vanished, her family has resuming its search – asking visitors to the Granite Creek Campground south of Alaska's largest city to be on the lookout for clues. Granite Creek is at Mile 64 of the Seward Highway.

Sifsof, 43, was reported missing July 11 by her boyfriend. She reportedly walked away from their campsite at Granite Creek campground on July 7, leaving her keys, ID and cell phone behind. When she failed to contact family, her boyfriend reported her missing. Sisof is 5 feet, 5 inches tall and weighs 120 pounds. She has black hair brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a black sweatshirt-style jacket, blue sweatpants and black boots.

According to a press release from Susan Sullivan of Victims for Justice, canine teams and volunteers in rafts on the creek have been searching before vegetation leafed out this spring – "ideal conditions," according to Victor Sifsof, who is Valerie's father.

Last year, searchers combed the road system from Homer to Fairbanks, including the Hope area. A sweatshirt belonging to Valerie was found in October, and the family launched a website, www.valeriesifsof.com, to post details about the search.

There's still a reward of more than $27,000 if Sifsof is recovered or someone responsible for her disappearance is arrested and convicted. The fund is administered by Victims for Justice. People with information should call Alaska State Troopers, who still consider Sifsof's disappearance as an active case, at (907) 783-0972. The reference incident number is AK12219013.

An additional reward of $1,000 through Crime Stoppers is available for tips that lead to the arrest of a felony suspect. Call 561-STOP.

Craig Medred

Craig Medred is a former writer for the Anchorage Daily News, Alaska Dispatch and Alaska Dispatch News. He left the ADN in 2015.

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