In 1995, Erin Gilbert Went On A Second Date In Alaska And Has Been Missing Ever Since
In the summer of 1994, twenty-four-year-old Erin Marie Gilbert moved to Alaska to live with her family.
Prior to her move, Erin was a San Francisco native with big dreams. She aspired to be a writer and also planned on attending cosmetology school. And while working to make her dreams a reality, Erin nannied for different families.
She had been excited about her move to Alaska. Erin was specifically moving to Anchorage, a city known for its idyllic scenery, plentiful wildlife, and artistic culture.
Just one year after relocating, though, Erin was never to be seen again. The tragedy began in June of 1995 when she went out on a first date with a man named Dave.
Erin and Dave met up at a local bar known as Chilkoot Charlies at the time, and, after getting to know each other, the pair really hit it off.
They immediately planned a follow-up date for July 1, 1995– the day of the Girdwood Forest Fair.
Girdwood, Alaska, is located about thirty-six miles south of Anchorage. So, on the day of the event, Dave picked up Erin at about 4:00 p.m. to travel there together.
They reportedly only stayed for about an hour, though, and decided to leave at about 6:00 p.m.
Facebook; pictured above is Erin
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But, while they were preparing to head out of the fair, Dave had trouble re-starting his car. The pair fiddled around with it, but he realized he had left his lights on and needed a jump.
Then, Dave allegedly told Erin that he planned to walk to a friend’s house for assistance and left her back in the car.
After he returned a few hours later, Erin was nowhere to be found.
Dave claims that he searched the fair for Erin until about one in the morning before traveling back to Anchorage. And, at 7:00 a.m., he called Erin’s sister– Stephanie– to ask if she had made it home. Erin had not.
So, Stephanie and her family drove to the fair, had Erin’s name announced on stage, and even searched the nearby woods.
Left without a trace, Stephanie reported Erin missing, and the police launched an intensive investigation.
Even after deploying search dog units and helicopters, though, Erin was never seen again. She has now been missing for twenty-six years, and her family is demanding answers.
Facebook; pictured above Erin smiles
A Change.org petition has been created in Erin’s name, urging community members to speak out against the underfunded and under-staffed cold case unit in Alaska.
“The Alaska Cold Cases Unit has low funding and only one detective,” wrote Diana Lynn, the petition’s organizer.
“Thousands of people are missing in Alaska, including Erin Gilbert. This is unacceptable! Please sign this petition to get proper funding for the Alaska Cold Case Unit so they can hire more detectives, re-open cases, and get back to work so the missing can be found.”
So far, just over nine hundred people have signed the petition directed toward over fifteen decision makers– including President Biden, Vice President Harris, and Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski.
To aid the funding efforts and support Erin’s case being re-opened, you can visit the petition linked here.
And if you have any information that could lead to a break in Erin’s case, you are encouraged to contact the Alaska State Troopers at (907) 269-5511.
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