A relative says the murder of a 70-year-old Perryville man marks the latest death in a season of alcohol-fueled tragedy for his family and the Alaska Peninsula village where he spent his life.
Marvin Yagie died Sunday morning. His 21-year-old grandson, Brandon Yagie, was charged Tuesday with his murder, Alaska State Troopers say.
Witnesses told troopers that the younger man attacked his grandfather twice early Sunday, according to a report late Monday. The witnesses said they tried to intervene but fled after the 21-year-old threatened them.
They found Marvin Yagie dead later that morning, troopers say.
Troopers spokeswoman Megan Peters declined to provide additional information Tuesday.
Troopers couldn't reach Perryville until Monday due to poor weather, they said. They arrested Brandon Yagie after interviewing witnesses.
Alcohol was a factor, troopers say. Peters declined to provide more specific information.
Yagie was jailed in King Salmon on charges of second-degree murder, fourth-degree assault and evidence tampering. A first-degree murder charge was added later, Peters said. Yagie was scheduled for arraignment Tuesday afternoon.
Yagie's older brother, Jared Kaiakokonok, died in November, according to his aunt, Jennifer Kalmakoff.
Kaiakokonok, 25, put his arm through a glass window after a fight with a family member and bled to death, according to a troopers dispatch at the time. Local health aides tried to save him but he was pronounced dead at the village clinic.
Alcohol was also a factor in that incident, troopers said.
Kalmakoff, who lives in Perryville, said alcohol "has taken" too many relatives. She said she stopped drinking 15 months ago after seeing its toll.
Marvin Yagie cared for Brandon when he was a baby, Kalmakoff said.
"I am in shock that our nephew is being charged (with) doing such a horrendous crime," she wrote in a message.
Marvin Yagie was a longtime commercial salmon fisherman who served on the board of Oceanside Corporation, the village corporation for Perryville.
"Strangers that came into our village he made feel welcome bringing you a native dish like smoked salmon or a fresh fish," Kalmakoff said. "He helped his community in the summer months, the people who could not harvest salmon he brought 200 or so salmon to share with the people from his fishing vessel."
Alcohol has claimed another life in the village, she said.