Deaths

Forrest Jenkins, 68, was initially arrested for the hit and run incident in Nov. 2024, hours after responders found 48-year-old Jesse Frank on the side of Chief Eddie Hoffman Highway near the Bethel airport.

Seventeen-year-old James J. McMillen died in Bethel after police say a snowmachine he was driving sank in a pond and he was unable to swim to safety late Saturday evening (May 3).

Twenty-six-year-old Fredrick Abraham pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide after initially being charged with second-degree murder in the death of 30-year-old Joan Camille in March 2024 near the lower Yukon River community.

Troopers said they were notified in the early morning hours of March 30 that 27-year-old Peter Joseph had passed away from his injuries after an accident that occurred near the coastal village of Kongiganak.

Twenty-eight-year-old Allen Amik faces two counts of second-degree murder and two felony counts of tampering with physical evidence for allegedly killing 27-year-old Kari Nicholai and attempting to clean up the scene.

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.