Alaska News

Missouri fisherman's remains found in Alaska creek 1 year after he went missing

More than a year after a 71-year-old Missouri man went missing in Southcentral Alaska while out on a solo fishing trip, Alaska State Troopers say his remains have been found.

The body of Jerry Warner was discovered partly on a sandbar Saturday in Willow Creek, about a half-mile from Mile 71 of the Parks Highway, where the person who discovered it told troopers they'd been grouse hunting.

After officials recovered the body, it was sent to the State Medical Examiner's Office for an autopsy and identification, and troopers reported Warner's next of kin had been notified by Monday afternoon.

Warner had been missing since Aug. 3, 2014, when he was last seen walking up Willow Creek wearing green chest waders, a camouflage hat, a gray raincoat and glasses. At the time of his disappearance, troopers didn't believe he was carrying any type of survival gear or cellphone.

Six days after Warner disappeared, on Aug. 9, 2014, the search was called off.

Warner and his girlfriend were camping at Willow Creek Resort near Mile 70 of the Parks Highway before his disappearance.

Megan Edge

Megan Edge is a former reporter for Alaska Dispatch and Alaska Dispatch News.

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