Joseph Clayton, seen here, was last seen in Juneau of Friday, Aug. 20, and is currently missing. (Courtesy photo / Juneau Police Department)

Joseph Clayton, seen here, was last seen in Juneau of Friday, Aug. 20, and is currently missing. (Courtesy photo / Juneau Police Department)

Search continues for missing man after personal items found at campsite

A backpack and other items were found in an abandonded campsite.

Family members searching for a missing man say they found signs of him at an old campsite, according to a police news release.

Joseph “Joe” Clayton, 48, was last seen on Friday morning, Juneau Police Department said in a news release. His car was located at the Auke Lake boat launch later that day.

On Tuesday, family members searching for him located personal items belonging to Clayton, including a backpack, at a disused campsite between Auke Lake Way and Mendenhall Loop Road. The reason for the belongings being left in the woods is unknown, Campbell said.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

Southeast Alaska Dogs Organized for Ground Search searched the area but did not locate Clayton.

Clayton is a white male, 6 foot 2, weighing approximately 220 pounds. He was last seen in a T-shirt and jeans. The family is offering a $5,000 reward for Clayton’s live return, and asks community members to keep an eye out.

• Contact reporter Michael S. Lockett at 757-621-1197 or mlockett@juneauempire.com.

More in News

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Aurora forecast through the week of Feb. 15

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute… Continue reading

Elon Musk on stage with a chainsaw gifted to him by President Javier Milei of Argentina, left, during the 2025 Conservative Political Action Conference at the Gaylord National Resort and Conference Center in National Harbor, Md., on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (Eric Lee/The New York Times)
Musk to all federal workers: Explain accomplishments during past week by Monday or lose your job

Some agency leaders tell employees to hold off on responding as further guidance is sought.

Jude Humphrey, a Student Conservation Association intern for the U.S. Forest Service, reads a story about snowflakes to kids during a Mendenhall Minis event at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center on Saturday morning. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Firing on: Remaining Forest Service staff fill in to keep Mendenhall Glacier activities flowing

As visitor center continues lectures and kids’ events, fired employees get a show of community support.

The University of Alaska Southeast class of 2024 receives their degrees during a commencement ceremony Sunday, May 5, 2024, at the UAS Recreation Center. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
University of Alaska removing DEI references from all print and online materials

UAS chancellor says deletions are to comply with Board of Regents’ directive issued Friday afternoon.

A bike is parked outside the main entrance of Bartlett Regional Hospital on Thursday, July 27, 2023. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
About 100,000 Alaskans could lose health insurance under GOP plan backed by Trump, hospital officials say

Cut affecting Medicaid could also be costly to state and other policyholders, letter to delegation asserts.

Tetyana Robbins, executive director of Project Alaska, embraces Deepika Ramesh Perumal, executive director of the Alaska Literacy Project, after a House Judiciary Committee meeting at the Alaska State Capitol Building on Feb. 19, 2025. The presentation to the Alaska Legislature was one of many in Juneau this week by immigration leaders in the state. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Immigrants and refugees in Alaska feel uncertainty under Trump administration

Policy changes spur preparation outreach from immigration advocates.

U.S. Rep. Nick Begich III, R-Alaska, address the Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce on Thursday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Begich supports Trump’s federal cutbacks, but ‘I recognize the process won’t be perfect’

Congressman says cutting most Mendenhall Glacier staff may have been hasty; also wants faster flood fix.

Police calls for Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

Most Read