Updates: Child missing near Monashka; police asking for assistance from public

Editor’s Note: This is a developing story. We will update as more information is available.

Sat., May 14, 8 a.m. According to the Search for Sawyer Facebook page, the community-wide search for Sawyer Cipolla has been suspended pending any new leads, although law enforcement will continue to investigate.

The Alaska State Troopers will be holding a press conference at 11 a.m., it will be live streamed on the Alaska State Troopers Facebook page.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Sawyer Cipolla is asked to contact the Alaska State Troopers in Kodiak at (907) 486-4121.

Fri., May 13, 3 p.m. As of Friday afternoon, K9 teams were still searching for 7-year-old Sawyer Cipolla, who went missing near his Kodiak home – off of Three Sisters Way – nearly a week ago. 

Cipolla is autistic and doesn’t answer to his first name. He was reported missing on Saturday afternoon. 

More than a dozen agencies – including local law enforcement, U.S. Navy Seals and members of the Coast Guard have participated in the search effort. Nearly a thousand community volunteers have also been part of the search – according to the Alaska State Troopers – which is leading the investigation. 

Agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Anchorage Field Office were also deployed to assist in the ongoing search operation, according to an FBI public information officer. 

A “Search for Sawyer” Facebook page has been set up with updates on the case.

Anyone who thinks they may have seen Cipolla should call the Alaska State Troopers in Kodiak. Their number is 907-486-4121.

Thurs., May 12, 4 p.m. Ground crews, aerial surveillance and K9 teams continue to search for Sawyer Cipolla, according to the Alaska State Troopers. That’s the agency overseeing the search effort for the 7-year-old with autism, who went missing near his home on Forest Drive – off of Three Sisters Way – over the weekend.

No new leads have developed in the last 24 hours, according to the latest Troopers dispatch.

A “Search for Sawyer” Facebook page has been set up with any updates about the ongoing search – the page also lists daily check-in times volunteers can head to the Bayside Volunteer Fire Department to join the search effort. 

Prospective searchers need to be at least 16-years-old, able to hike at least 5 miles and have appropriate hiking gear – including footwear.

Anyone who thinks they may have seen Cipolla should contact the Alaska State Troopers in Kodiak. Their number is 486-4121.

Wed., May 11, 11 a.m. The search continues for 7-year-old Sawyer Cipolla, who went missing near his home in Kodiak on Saturday afternoon. As of Wednesday morning, more than 300 ground searchers are still looking for Cipolla. Four new K9 teams were also brought in from Anchorage overnight, according to the Alaska State Troopers.

Tues., May 10, 10 a.m. Volunteers can check in at Bayside Volunteer Fire Department to continue searching for 7-year-old Sawyer Cipolla, who went missing from his home near Monashka Bay Road on Saturday. Monday’s search area included Pillar Mountain, which was closed to the public for part of the evening. Anyone with information can contact the Alaska State Troopers in Kodiak at 907-486-4121.

Mon., May 9, 12 p.m. The search continues for a 7-year-old boy who went missing over the weekend near Monashka Bay Road in Kodiak. Members of the public wanting to join the search effort are being directed to Bayside Volunteer Fire Department, where they will be assigned to a search team.

Sun., May 8, 8 p.m. As of 5 p.m. Sunday night, volunteers were pulled out of the field to allow search and rescue K9 teams from Anchorage and Mat-Su to continue looking for the missing boy.

Sun., May 8, 1:30 p.m. Members of the public who are wanting to help in the search are being directed to Bayside Volunteer Fire Department, where they will be assigned to a search team.

Sun., May 8, 9 a.m. The search is ongoing for a 7-year-old boy named Sawyer, who went missing Saturday afternoon near Three Sisters Way off of Monashka Bay Road in Kodiak, according to the Alaska State Troopers. Volunteers and search and rescue teams met at Bayside Fire Department at 7 a.m. to continue their search. A K9 team is also aiding in the search effort. Residents in the neighborhoods near Monashka Bay Road are encouraged to check their properties for any potential hiding places.

Sat., May 7 Alaska State Troopers and the Kodiak Police Department are asking for the public’s help locating a 7-year-old boy named Sawyer, who went missing in the Monashka Bay Road area of Kodiak on Saturday afternoon. Sawyer is autistic, and responds to “come on in,” or the name “Brigadier.” He may also respond to vocal howling. He was last seen on Forest Drive, which is off of Three Sisters Way, at 12:20 p.m., Sat., May 7, according to the Alaska State Troopers.

Tim DeSpain is a public information officer for the Alaska State Troopers. He said residents in the neighborhoods near Monashka Bay Road should check sheds, garages, crawl spaces and any other potential hiding places on their properties. Over 100 volunteers are currently searching for the boy as of 7 p.m., according to DeSpain, including members of Kodiak Police Department, Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Alaska State Troopers, City of Kodiak Fire Department, Bayside Volunteer Fire Department, Kodiak Island Search and Rescue, Coast Guard sector Anchorage/Air Station Kodiak and local residents.

Sawyer was last seen wearing grey pants and a camouflage top with hiking boots, according to an Alaska State Troopers press release.

DeSpain says anyone who has seen Sawyer should call the Alaska State Troopers in Kodiak at 907-486-4121.