Alaska News

Woman dies after canoe overturns in Lake Lucille

A 20-year-old woman drowned in a Wasilla lake early Wednesday morning, authorities said.

The woman, identified as 20-year-old Arielle Hausmann, and 24-year-old Michael Sexton were canoeing on Lake Lucille in the early hours of the morning when the canoe overturned, said officer Rick Manrique, a spokesman for the Wasilla Police Department.The 350-acre lake is within Wasilla city limits.

People who live on the lake heard cries for help, and one resident set out in a canoe, Manrique said. The first 911 call came in at 4:03 a.m.

Sexton was rescued, but Hausmann was missing, Manrique said. Crews with Mat-Su Dive and Rescue team, Mat-Su Borough Emergency Services, Alaska State Troopers and the Wasilla Police Department responded.

Hausmann was pulled unconscious from somewhere near the middle of the lake, near the submerged canoe, Manrique said. He estimated she had been in the water for about an hour.

CPR was performed, and Hausmann was taken to Mat-Su Regional Hospital. She was pronounced dead at about 5:30 a.m., Manrique said. Sexton was recovering at Mat-Su Regional and was expected to make a full recovery, Manrique said.

Neither Sexton nor Hausmann was wearing a life jacket, Manrique said. He said alcohol is suspected as a factor in the incident. An autopsy to determine the cause and circumstances of death is pending.

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In 1995, a 17-year-old boy drowned in Lake Lucille after he and a friend's canoe overturned.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Devin Kelly

Devin Kelly was an ADN staff reporter.

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