Alaska State Troopers say the body of a 20-year-old Kasigluk man was found in the Johnson River several days after he left his family's home "highly intoxicated and distraught."
Search-and-rescue efforts ended Friday when Walter Nicholas' body was recovered from the river, trooper said.
Nicholas' father reported his son missing on the evening of Sept. 30. He told Bethel-based troopers Nicholas left the family's residence in Kasigluk drunk and upset during the early morning hours that day.
Troopers' spokesperson Megan Peters said it's unknown why Nicholas was upset.
Kasigluk, population 599, is on the Johnson River in the Kuskokwim River delta, 26 miles northwest of Bethel.
The family became concerned when Walter did not return home by late evening, troopers said.
Troopers received information on Oct. 1 suggesting that a boat had been found floating near the village and Nicholas may have been operating it. Search-and-rescue efforts were initiated, and his body was found two days later.
Nicholas' family has been notified of his death. His body was sent to the State Medical Examiner's Office in Anchorage for an autopsy.
Peters said there is no additional information available about how he died.
The investigation is ongoing, though troopers said alcohol is reported to be a factor.