Kenai

Deaths of 2 found in burned SUV in Soldotna ruled accidental

The deaths of two Soldotna residents found in a burned SUV in November have been ruled accidental, after a monthslong investigation by state and federal authorities.

Alaska State Troopers announced the findings in the deaths of Daniel Duck, 39, and Joni Pearcy, 52, in an online dispatch Wednesday. Their bodies were found inside a Ford Bronco "in a wooded area off a trail" on Nov. 27, troopers said previously.

"Toxicology results show impairment and carbon monoxide inhalation were factors," troopers wrote.

The two had last been seen alive at a Soldotna home on the night of Nov. 14. They were reported as missing persons on Nov. 20, and the Bronco was found not far from that home a week later.

Duck and Pearcy's remains were separately identified in December, based on dental and medical records, but troopers wouldn't comment further on the investigation at that time.

Troopers spokeswoman Megan Peters said the Bronco apparently hadn't crashed prior to the fire.

"It doesn't sound like they were driving — they were essentially staying in it," Peters said.

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The State Medical Examiner Office focused on determining Duck and Pearcy's causes of death, Peters said, while the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives helped examine the fire and its cause.

Peters said investigators were only able to offer conjecture about how the fatal blaze may have ignited, however, due to how little of the vehicle remained after it burned.

"It sounds like it was potentially from not extinguishing smoking materials," Peters said. "When you have fires and they burn a lot, it eliminates some of the evidence."

Chris Klint

Chris Klint is a former ADN reporter who covered breaking news.

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