Alaska News

Cordova hunter missing since Monday found deceased

Update, 7:45 p.m. Sunday: Alaska State Troopers announced in an online report Sunday that Neil Durco was found deceased at the bottom of a steep chute by Alaska Army National Guard MEDEVAC.

Original story:

A search continues for a 33-year-old Cordova man missing since Monday, when he went hunting alone, Alaska State Troopers say.

Neil Durco was on the McKinley Trail and didn’t return by Tuesday as expected, troopers said in an online release. “Durco was reportedly not prepared with gear for the weather and had minimal food rations.”

A Cordova-based wildlife trooper and U.S. Forest Service employee found Durco’s vehicle at the trailhead Wednesday but couldn’t locate him, troopers said.

On Friday, a ground search was being coordinated by Cordova police and fire officials, troopers spokesman Ken Marsh said. Ten search teams with two- to four-people each were assigned sectors, trails or cabins.

A C-130 reached the area Friday around noon to aid in the search.

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Durco is “known to travel light, meaning minimal gear,” Marsh said in an email.

The 2.5-mile trail leads to two cabins and McKinley Lake.

Zaz Hollander

Zaz Hollander is a veteran journalist based in the Mat-Su and is currently an ADN local news editor and reporter. She covers breaking news, the Mat-Su region, aviation and general assignments. Contact her at zhollander@adn.com.

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