Alaska State Troopers say a body found floating in a lake near the Southcentral village of Tyonek is believed to be that of a local man missing since late October.
Eugene Bismark, 45, was reported missing Oct. 25, 2013. A post on the Facebook page "For the Missing: Pacific Northwest" shows a blurry photo of "Gene" with dark hair and brown eyes. The post says when Bismark was last spotted in the village, one day prior to the missing report, his vehicle sat parked at his residence.
"Village residents advised Bismark's vehicle was still parked at his residence and no one was aware of him having trip plans," troopers reported in October.
The residents of Tyonek, population 179, searched for Bismark before reporting him missing. Troopers looked on the ground and from the air.
About a week after Bismark's disappearance, troopers asked the public for help locating him. Troopers said it was possible he flew to Anchorage or Kenai, but his usual contacts hadn't heard from him.
The body believed to be Bismark's was reportedly located floating in the lake near Tyonek shortly after 8 p.m. Tuesday, troopers reported.
Troopers responded to Tyonek to recover the remains. The body will be sent to the State Medical Examiner's Office for an autopsy and positive identification.
"Cause of death is undetermined at this time, though nothing suspicious was observed," troopers reported.
Reach Jerzy Shedlock at jerzy@alaskadispatch.com.
By JERZY SHEDLOCK
jerzy@alaskadispatch.com