Alaska State Troopers say a 33-year-old North Pole man has been charged with first-degree murder for shooting his ex-girlfriend.
Shortly before 7:30 Monday night, Fairbanks-based troopers got a 911 call that Mandy Clemmons, 21, was found dead in a driveway off Larissa Drive in North Pole.
Russell Burris, who has been charged with Clemmons' death, "was unconscious under a tree nearby," troopers said. He tried to commit suicide by drug overdose, they said.
An initial investigation found that Clemmons was Burris' ex-girlfriend. Burris shot Clemmons and covered her body with a tarp, troopers said.
"Responding (medics) arrived on scene and declared Clemmons deceased due to an apparent gunshot wound," troopers said.
Her body has been sent to the State Medical Examiner in Anchorage for an autopsy.
Troopers said the homicide investigation is ongoing. Clemmons' family has been told of her death.
Burris was taken to Fairbanks Memorial Hospital. The hospital discharged Burris on Tuesday at noon and troopers arrested him on the murder charge.
Burris is also on federal probation for bank fraud, troopers said. His condition of release barred him from carrying a firearm or possessing drugs.