The true crime genre is getting a powerful new entry next week as Investigation Discovery prepares to launch Lost Women of Alaska, the second installment in the Emmy-nominated Lost Women franchise executive produced by Academy Award winner Octavia Spencer. This three-part docuseries focuses on the brutal murders of two Alaska Native women and the investigation that exposed a terrifying predator. Here is everything you need to know about the upcoming series, including when it airs, where to stream it, and the real-life case at its center.
Lost Women of Alaska Premiere Date and Time
Lost Women of Alaska is scheduled to premiere on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, from 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM ET/PT on Investigation Discovery . The series will air in a three-hour block, allowing viewers to watch the entire story unfold in one night. Each episode runs for approximately 60 minutes .
For those who prefer to watch on a weekly schedule, here is the complete episode lineup based on confirmed information:
- Episode 1 (The Missing) – Airs February 25, 2026 at 8:00 PM ET/PT
- Episode 2 (Title TBD) – Airs February 25, 2026
- Episode 3 (No Longer Silent) – Airs February 25, 2026 at 10:00 PM ET/PT
Where to Stream Lost Women of Alaska
After its linear television premiere on ID, Lost Women of Alaska will be available for streaming on HBO Max (now simply called Max) . This means viewers who prefer streaming over cable television can watch the series on the platform shortly after its broadcast debut.
For global audiences, the streaming availability may vary by region:
- United States: Available on Max following the ID broadcast
- United Kingdom: Typically available via Discovery+ (confirmation pending)
- Canada: Available on platforms carrying Investigation Discovery content
- Australia: Expected on Foxtel or BINGE (official confirmation awaited)
- India: Likely available on Discovery+ or partner streaming services
The Real-Life Case Behind the Series
Lost Women of Alaska examines the murders of Veronica Abouchuk and Kathleen Jo Henry, two Alaska Native women who were killed in 2018 and 2019 . Their deaths exposed a terrifying pattern of violence against Indigenous women in Alaska, a state where Native women experience disproportionately high rates of violence compared to other demographics.
The investigation into these murders led authorities to Brian Steven Smith, a man who was living in Anchorage at the time of the killings. According to court records and news reports, Smith was convicted on February 22, 2024, on two counts of first-degree murder . The docuseries chronicles the journey that led to his conviction and the unlikely heroes who helped piece together the case.
“Expanding the Lost Women franchise allows us to shine a light on cases involving underrepresented women, and Lost Women of Alaska confronts the devastating intersection of race and systemic failures that perpetuate violence against Indigenous women.” – Octavia Spencer, Executive Producer
What Happened to Kathleen Jo Henry and Veronica Abouchuk
The cases of both victims share chilling similarities. Kathleen Jo Henry was killed in 2019, and her body was found on the side of the Seward Highway south of Anchorage . Veronica Abouchuk was murdered the previous year in 2018 . Both women were Alaska Native, and their cases initially received limited attention until investigators began connecting dots that pointed to a possible serial killer.
The docuseries promises to show how these two women joined “a cacophony of Indigenous voices seemingly lost without trace in the remote Alaskan landscape” . Through the courage of some unlikely heroes, the crimes came to light, and investigators were able to build a case against Smith.
However, authorities believe there could be more victims. The investigation into Smith’s activities continues, with law enforcement examining whether he may be connected to other unsolved cases involving Indigenous women in Alaska .
The Lost Women Franchise and Octavia Spencer’s Role
Lost Women of Alaska represents the second season of the Lost Women anthology series. The first season, titled Lost Women of Highway 20, premiered on ID in November 2023 and examined the disappearances and murders of women along a desolate stretch of Oregon’s Highway 20 between the late 1970s and early 1990s . That season featured cases including Marlene Gabrielsen, Kaye Turner, Rachanda Pickle, Melissa Sanders, and Sheila Swanson.
Octavia Spencer serves as executive producer through her production company Orit Entertainment and also narrates the Lost Women series . She partners with October Films and Investigation Discovery to bring these stories to television. Spencer’s involvement brings significant attention to cases that might otherwise remain overlooked.
“Our ongoing partnership with ID and October Films is a collective commitment to shining a spotlight on important true crime stories. A new season of Feds will continue to bring unparalleled access to the FBI and our next installment of Lost Women will feature an unfolding new case digging into an ongoing crisis facing Indigenous victims, whose cases many times go not only unsolved – but uninvestigated.” – Octavia Spencer
Jason Sarlanis, President of Investigation Discovery, praised Spencer’s approach to storytelling, noting that she “brings a level of care to every story she touches” and that Lost Women of Alaska “helps expose a crisis impacting Indigenous women with sensitivity and cinematic power” .
Episode Guide and What to Expect
The three episodes of Lost Women of Alaska are designed to take viewers through the entire story, from the initial disappearances to the eventual conviction.
Episode 1: The Missing
The series opens by introducing viewers to Kathleen Jo Henry and Veronica Abouchuk, exploring their lives and the circumstances surrounding their disappearances. This episode establishes the remote Alaskan landscape and the challenges investigators face when people vanish in such an unforgiving environment .
Episode 2: The Investigation
The middle episode focuses on the police work that led authorities to Brian Steven Smith. Viewers will see how investigators connected the two murders and built a case against the suspect. The episode highlights the forensic evidence and witness testimony that proved crucial to the prosecution.
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Episode 3: No Longer Silent
The finale, titled “No Longer Silent,” airs at 10:00 PM ET/PT and examines the trial and conviction of Smith . This episode also explores the broader context of violence against Indigenous women in Alaska and the systemic failures that allow such crimes to continue. The title reflects the mission of giving voice to victims who can no longer speak for themselves .
The Crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women
Lost Women of Alaska arrives at a time of growing awareness about the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) in North America. According to data cited in various reports, Indigenous women face disproportionately high rates of violence, and their cases often receive less attention than those involving non-Native victims.
Alaska presents unique challenges for law enforcement. The state’s vast, remote landscape and limited transportation infrastructure can make investigating disappearances extremely difficult. Many rural Alaska communities are not connected to the road system, requiring air travel for access. These factors contribute to cases going cold and perpetrators escaping justice.
The docuseries aims to provoke conversations about why these cases have historically been under-investigated and what can be done to address the crisis. By focusing on specific cases while highlighting systemic issues, Lost Women of Alaska continues the franchise’s mission of sparking “important conversations around society’s treatment of women” .
Similar Content on Investigation Discovery
The premiere of Lost Women of Alaska is part of a larger slate of true crime programming on ID. The network is also bringing back FEDS for a second season, with new episodes beginning March 4, 2026, at 9:00 PM ET/PT .
FEDS offers unprecedented access to the FBI, featuring exclusive interviews with agents and exploring high-profile cases from the agency’s files. The second season will cover cases including terrorist attacks, kidnapping hoaxes, a multi-state baby-selling scheme, gang violence, and even a hitman who called himself the “Real John Wick” .
Both series come from the same creative team, with Octavia Spencer executive producing both projects through Orit Entertainment.
How to Watch Lost Women of Alaska
For viewers in the United States, tuning in to Investigation Discovery on February 25 at 8:00 PM ET/PT is the way to catch the premiere. The network is available through most cable and satellite providers, as well as live TV streaming services like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Sling TV.
For streaming viewers, Lost Women of Alaska will be available on Max (formerly HBO Max) after its broadcast debut . This makes the series accessible to cord-cutters who prefer on-demand viewing.
International viewers should check local listings for Investigation Discovery or Discovery+ in their regions. Availability may vary by country, but Warner Bros. Discovery typically distributes ID content globally through various platforms.
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