FBI Honolulu
Honolulu Media Office
(808) 566-4300
October 8, 2014

FBI Seeks Missing Child Billy Hanson

Update - October 29, 2014: Billy Hanson has been recovered safely in the South Pacific. Press release


The joint effort continues to locate 9-year-old Billy Hanson quickly and safely.

Investigators believe that Billy may traveling with 46-year-old Jeffrey Ford Hanson on a 1976 White Cooper sailboat, named the Draco, somewhere on the Pacific Ocean. They could be heading toward Mexico or islands in the South Pacific; however, the possibilities are endless.

Seattle FBI has consulted with nautical experts from the U.S. Coast Guard who advised that, based on the boat and Mr. Hanson’s sailing abilities, it is possible for him to have sailed great distance in the Pacific, including the Hawaiian Islands. Accordingly, the Honolulu FBI is extending this outreach to  American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and all sovereign nations of the Pacific. Please understand that there is no specific information that he has currently made it to any specific island in the Pacific.

A federal arrest warrant was issued for Jeffrey Ford Hanson on September 12, 2014, in the United States District Court, Western District of Washington in Seattle, Washington, after he was charged with international parental kidnapping.

Below are photos of Billy Hanson, Jeffrey Ford Hanson, and the Draco sailboat. The FBI has also issued a wanted poster for Jeffrey Ford Hanson, the link to which is available at the conclusion of this press release.

Hanson was taken into custody in late October 2014, on the South Pacific island of Niue, 1,500 miles northeast of New Zealand. He had been sought by law enforcement since September 12, 2014, when he was charged with international parental kidnapping for leaving Seattle with his son in violation of a court approved parenting plan.  Billy Hanson was located safely on the island country of Niue in the South Pacific Ocean in October 2014.

Billy Hanson was located safely on the island country of Niue in the South Pacific Ocean in October 2014.  Billy Hanson was located safely on the island country of Niue in the South Pacific Ocean in October 2014.

The 1976 White Cooper sailboat, named the Draco, used in the Billy Hanson kidnapping case.  The 1976 White Cooper sailboat, named the Draco, used in the Billy Hanson kidnapping case.

Billy Hanson was located safely on the island country of Niue in the South Pacific Ocean in October 2014.  Billy Hanson was located safely on the island country of Niue in the South Pacific Ocean in October 2014.

Billy Hanson was located safely on the island country of Niue in the South Pacific Ocean in October 2014.

The 1976 White Cooper sailboat, named the Draco, used in the Billy Hanson kidnapping case.

The joint investigation combines the resources of the FBI, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Seattle Police Department’s Major Crimes Task Force, the Port of Seattle Police Department, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Investigators request that the public help report any possible sightings or information on the whereabouts of Billy, Jeffrey Ford Hanson, and/or the sailboat. Anyone with information is asked to call 1-800-CALL-FBI.

- Related FBI wanted poster