Rural Alaska

Troopers blame huffing for death of man in Tuntutuliak

A man died in the Kuskokwim River village of Tuntutuliak after apparently huffing propane from a large tank over the weekend, Alaska State Troopers said.

Joshua Evan, 31, was last seen by family members on Saturday, troopers spokeswoman Megan Peters said. An uncle looking for Evan's boat at the village dock on Sunday found his body on top of four-foot propane tanks at the tank farm nearby, Peters said.

Troopers in Bethel received a report of Evan's death that day.

A trooper classified the death as accidental because he didn't think Evan meant to kill himself, Peters said. There was no indication that any foul play was involved, she said.

Evan was the subject of a multi-day boat and aircraft search at the end of May, according to a report on the Bethel Search and Rescue site, which identified him as a Napaskiak resident. Evan was last seen walking on the ice of the Kuskokwim River to fish camps at Tuntutuliak on May 26. Napaskiak volunteers in boats found him five days later at the camps.

Reach Zaz Hollander at zhollander@adn.com or 257-4317.

By ZAZ HOLLANDER

zhollander@adn.com

Zaz Hollander

Zaz Hollander is a veteran journalist based in the Mat-Su and is currently an ADN local news editor and reporter. She covers breaking news, the Mat-Su region, aviation and general assignments. Contact her at zhollander@adn.com.

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