Bower was last seen sailing out of Honokohau Harbor near the Pine Trees surfing area in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii on December 2, 2009. He had rented a 21-foot Triumph boat with a blue Bimini top from Kona Boat Rentals and departed the harbor alone, saying he was going to meet friends and then return to shore by 5:30 p.m. He has never been heard from again. His boat was found that evening, unoccupied and running in circles three miles off the coast of Kona. An extensive search turned up no sign of Bower, however.

Bower had moved to Hawaii from Park City, Utah a short time before his disappearance. He is presumed to have perished in an accident at sea, but his body has never been located.