Almost 10 months after a Texas family’s boat capsized off the coast of Homer, Alaska, human remains were discovered in the sunken vessel, providing closure to a tragic disappearance that gripped many hearts.
What Happened
In August 2024, David and Mary Maynard from Troy, Texas, along with their two young sons, 11-year-old Colton and 8-year-old Brantley, went missing after their 28-foot aluminum boat capsized roughly 16 miles west of Homer, Alaska.
The boat carried eight people in total. Despite an immediate U.S. Coast Guard search, the efforts were suspended without any sign of the missing family.
Key Details
- The missing boat was located in early May 2025, nearly 10 months after the incident.
- Three private companies—Support Vessels of Alaska, Vision Subsea, and Benthic Geoscience Inc.—used advanced technology, including remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), to identify the vessel at a depth of 180 feet.
- Divers recovered three sets of human remains from the wreckage.
- The remains were sent to the State Medical Examiner’s Office for positive identification and autopsy.
- Next of kin have been notified.
Reactions and Statements
The Alaska Wildlife Troopers publicly thanked the private companies and dive teams for their critical role in the search and recovery operation.
A GoFundMe page honoring the Maynard family reflected the deep impact they had on their community, describing the family as “love and family-oriented” and expressing how much they will be missed.
Investigation and What’s Next
Authorities continue the process of confirming identities and cause of death through the State Medical Examiner’s Office. The successful recovery marks a significant step toward closure for the Maynard family and community.
Further investigations into the circumstances of the capsizing are ongoing but no additional details have been disclosed.
FAQs
Q: When did the boat capsize?
A: The incident occurred in August 2024, approximately 16 miles west of Homer, Alaska.
Q: Who was missing in the accident?
A: David and Mary Maynard and their two sons, Colton (11) and Brantley (8), were among those missing after the boat capsized.
Q: How was the boat located?
A: Private companies with specialized equipment used remotely operated vehicles to find the sunken boat at 180 feet depth.
Q: Have the remains been identified?
A: The remains have been recovered and sent to the State Medical Examiner’s Office for identification.
Q: What assistance helped in the search?
A: Support Vessels of Alaska, Vision Subsea, Benthic Geoscience Inc., and Alaska Dive Search, Rescue, and Recovery Team played key roles in locating and recovering the boat and remains.
Summary / Final Takeaway
The discovery of human remains in the sunken boat nearly 10 months after the tragedy offers some measure of closure to the Maynard family and community.
The combined efforts of private companies and state troopers highlight the importance of advanced technology and teamwork in resolving maritime disappearances.
The Maynard family’s memory continues to resonate as the investigation proceeds.
