Search for Homer woman who went missing from troller suspended

The Coast Guard searched 176 square miles of Southeast waters on Saturday, Aug. 10 and Aug. 11

The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed on Aug. 20 that they suspended the search for a Homer woman who went missing from a 36-foot troller earlier this month in Idaho Inlet near Pelican in Southeast Alaska waters.

The woman was identified as Lauren LeFree by her mother, Deborah LeFree-Rogers, on Aug. 19 in a conversation with the Homer News.

The troll vessel was the F/V Faithful, operated by Adrian Knowles, also from Homer, according to LeFree-Rogers and also confirmed by U.S. Coast Guard.

The U.S. Coast Guard conducted searches with USCG cutters Pike and Liberty as well as by helicopter from Air Station Sitka, covering a total of 176 square miles on Saturday, Aug. 10 and Aug. 11. LeFree was not found on either search and the search was suspended. Ten Good Samaritan boats also contributed to the search, according to the USCG.

LeFree-Rogers on Monday thanked the community for their support. A GoFundMe account has been established for LeFree’s son. More than 100 contributions had been made as of Monday.