This is a developing story.
Juneau resident Benjamin “Benny” Stepetin, 42, has been missing since June 22. His family last saw him in the early morning that day in downtown Juneau. The Juneau Police Department is seeking assistance in locating him and has a detective assigned to investigate the case.
As of Friday morning, there was no update on his whereabouts.
Early this week, JPD and about a dozen volunteers, including family members and friends, were searching on foot for him. His brother, Martin Stepetin, said they looked all day Tuesday. They drove around and made phone calls the day before.
Benjamin Stepetin frequents downtown Juneau, St. Vincent de Paul’s sleep-off portion of the fire department’s Sobering Center for the Community Assistance Response and Emergency Services (CARES program), or St. Vincent’s warming shelter when it is open. Martin Stepetin said his family checked these locations, as well as whether he was at Lemon Creek Correctional Center, the Glory Hall Shelter and Soup Kitchen, or Bartlett Regional Hospital. He said he’s unaware of his brother having a camping area in town.
“If he was anywhere, he’d be downtown, sitting on the ground,” he said. “That’s where he would be and everybody knows him.”
Benjamin Stepetin is Alaska Native, about 5 feet, 6 inches tall, and has brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a brown t-shirt and camo-patterned pants. It has been reported that he is homeless and does not have a phone, vehicle, or access to money, according to a missing persons bulletin from Alaska State Troopers.
A Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Investigator with the Alaska Department of Public Safety is helping search and connect the family to resources. He is also on the Alaska Bureau of Investigation’s clearinghouse page.
Benjamin Stepetin was not listed on the city’s missing persons page as of Friday. JPD Deputy Chief Krag Campbell wrote in an email that at some point, he will be added, but that isn’t done immediately.
“Our primary focus is getting the information out to the public/media, to see if he can be contacted,” he said.
Martin Stepetin said usually, his brother does not go missing for more than three or four days. He last spoke to his brother on the phone June 17. He said he has been worried about his mental health for a long time.
If someone sees Stepetin, they should contact JPD dispatch at 907-500-0801. His family members can also be called at 907-957-2967, 907-209-1640, and 907-500-2897.
• Contact Jasz Garrett at jasz.garrett@juneauempire.com or 907-723-9356.
Benjamin Stepetin. (Photo courtesy of family)
