Rural Alaska

Troopers investigate death of Venetie man with 'suspicious injuries'

Alaska State Troopers say they are investigating the death of a Venetie man who succumbed to "suspicious injuries."

At 3:47 p.m. Thursday, troopers stationed in Fairbanks were told that Earl Erick Jr., 36, of Venetie was receiving medical treatment after he was found unconscious inside a home in Venetie, an Interior Alaska community with a population of about 166 people.

Erick was taken to Anchorage for further treatment. On Saturday he was pronounced dead from "suspicious injuries," according to troopers.

The State Medical Examiner Office will be conducting an autopsy, troopers say. The investigation is ongoing.

Laurel Andrews

Laurel Andrews was a reporter for the Anchorage Daily News, Alaska Dispatch News and Alaska Dispatch. She left the ADN in October 2018.

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