Crime & Courts

Anchorage police identify woman found dead Tuesday

Anchorage police have identified the woman found dead near downtown on Tuesday morning as 26-year-old Jessica Lake.

Lake was originally from Hooper Bay but had been in Anchorage for "some time," police say. It was reported to police that she was homeless.

Lake's family has been notified.

Police continue to investigate the incident, according to a Wednesday news release. "Her cause of death is unknown at this time," the release says.

Police originally reported that they had found a woman's body near 13th Avenue and Hyder Street in the Fairview neighborhood early Tuesday morning.

Just after 5 a.m., police dispatch got a call about the woman, who was found outside. Police say she appeared to be unconscious and was not breathing. Medics responded and pronounced Lake dead.

Police closed Hyder between 13th and 14th avenues while officers examined the area. By Tuesday afternoon, police were still collecting evidence and taking pictures of Lake's body and the surrounding area.

Anyone with information about Lake's death is being asked to call police dispatch at 786-8900 or provide information anonymously through Anchorage Crime Stoppers at 561-STOP.

Jerzy Shedlock

Jerzy Shedlock is a former reporter for Alaska Dispatch News. He left the ADN in 2017.

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