Kenai

Troopers: Body of overdue Seldovia boater recovered after short search

The body of a Seldovia man was found floating near MacDonald Spit in Kachemak Bay Monday evening, not far from where his skiff was discovered about an hour earlier with the motor still running, Alaska State Troopers said.

Troopers said 68-year-old Robert Purpura was several hours overdue from a trip to Jakalof Bay when his skiff was spotted by a Seldovia pilot, Keith Gain. Gain alerted troopers shortly after 6 p.m. Monday that he'd spotted the skiff, with the motor still running, near MacDonald Spit, but couldn't see any sign of Purpura.

A more extensive search was launched that included several local vessels and the Alaska State Troopers P/V Augustine, as well as a Homer-based airplane.

Shortly after 7 p.m., searchers in the plane spotted Purpura's body floating about a mile north of MacDonald Spit, troopers said.

Searchers were able to recover and identify Purpura's body, and his next of kin has been notified, troopers said. No foul play is suspected.

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