Deaths

Troopers said that 74-year-old Sophie Mann was located deceased on the morning of March 1 after reportedly leaving her home without adequate gear the prior evening.

Family and friends of the 29-year-old found alone in a Bethel home still believe the case was improperly investigated and continue to search for answers.

Troopers say they received reports on the evening of Jan. 4 that 55-year-old Jimmy Lupie had sustained a puncture wound to his chest, walked to the home of a village public safety officer (VPSO) for help, and later succumbed to his injuries.

The boy, 15-year-old Cole Gilila, was riding with another boy on a snowmachine on the Kuskokwim River around 8 miles above Kalskag when it went through the ice on Jan. 4, according to Alaska State Troopers. The other boy got out of the river and was taken to Kalskag.

Investigators are looking into the death of 27-year-old Kari Nicholai, but have provided few details on the circumstances.

The body of 32-year-old Adrian “Aya” Andrew, who was originally from Kwigillingok, was discovered by a small group of searchers on Nov. 24 under the ice in the area where travelers frequently cross the river between Napaskiak and Oscarville.

Two Pilot Station residents found 24-year-old Joseph Zacharof deceased mid-evening on Nov. 17 after he reportedly struck a log “at high speeds” while riding his snowmachine around a mile downriver from the village.

According to charging documents, 67-year-old Forrest Jenkins was arrested on the evening of Nov. 7 just hours after police responded to reports of an unresponsive man on the side of Chief Eddie Hoffman Highway.

One of two men being held at the Mountain Village Police Department, resident Lawrence Chiklak, who had just turned 39 years old the day prior, died as a result of the fire.

The state says a state trooper who fired two shots at Nick Beebe in the village of Eek acted within the law. Beebe is now charged with murder.