In 1961, 23-year-old Michael Rockefeller traveled to Papua to pursue a career in anthropology and escape the silver straitjacket that came from being the son of New York governor Nelson Rockefeller. After his dugout canoe swamped in the Arafura Sea, he went missing. Almost 50 years later, reporter Tim Sohn and a film crew ventured to Papua to investigate whether he drowned, was eaten by cannibals, or survived to live Kurtz-like in a remote village.

Gone Missing Trailer
A sneak peak at Gone Missing: Vanished in Papua, which airs on the Travel Channel on November 2 at 10 P.M. ET.

Island Outtakes
Getting the shot isn't always easy when the action involves swimming in shark-infested waters, watching out for crocodiles, and trying to communicate with natives who speak a different language. Here are the bungled scenes filmed in the tropical seas and remote villages of Papua.

Photos: Papua
While in the Asmat region of the island nation, photographer Nathaniel Havholm captured candid portraits of villagers, behind-the-scenes stills of filming, and dramatic scenic shots. Havholm and reporter Tim Sohn give the story behind each photo.

Podcast: Behind the Scenes
Part 1
The crew talks about the difficulty of getting to Papua, hauling their gear around without permits, and an unexpected find.

Part 2
The steps Tim Sohn took to get comfortable in front of the camera.

Field Notes: Take No. 1,472
Tim Sohn investigates Michael Rockefeller's disappearance—and becomes a first time TV host—while dodging sea snakes and crocodiles, and trying to communicate with locals decked out for a war party.

Lost Scion
By Tim Sohn
The Michael Rockefeller story that led to the Travel Channel show appeared in Outside's October 2003 special package, The O Files.