Search crews battling blowing snow were unable to find 20-year-old Jed Alexie on Wednesday after he was reported missing that morning. An airplane pilot spotted Alexie on Thursday about six miles west of Toksook Bay, and ground searchers found him dead about 11 a.m., said troopers spokeswoman Megan Peters.
The cause of Alexie's death is under investigation, but he appeared to have died from exposure, Peters said. There was nothing immediately suspicious about his death, she said.
Alcohol appeared to be a contributing factor, troopers said.
"Alcohol was found in Mr. Alexie's gear," Peters said in an email. "We do not know if he was under the influence."
Alexie and Merlin Felix, 21, were headed from Nunapitchuk to Toksook Bay on snowmachines Tuesday when they were reported overdue about 1 a.m. Wednesday. A villager in Nightmute saw Alexie and Felix traveling together about 2 a.m., but they became separated at some point soon after, troopers said.
Felix showed up in Toksook Bay about 3:30 a.m., and searchers headed out in an attempt to find Alexie. Blowing snow turned the team around and prevented aircraft from taking off to help, troopers said.
Important warning about e-mails purporting to be from the adn.com staff.