Rural Alaska

Female's remains discovered in bushes in Bethel

The body of an unidentified female was found early Sunday in the Southwest Alaska community of Bethel, and investigators are seeking more information in the case.

The body was found in bushes near the Pinky's Park boardwalk around 4 a.m. Sunday, said Lt. Joseph Corbett of the Bethel Police Department. He said it was not visible from the boardwalk, which runs between two housing developments in central Bethel.

Details about how the body was discovered or what police think may have happened were scarce Sunday.

"We haven't identified the person," Corbett said. "We still need to do next of kin notification."

Investigators also haven't determined time of death, but the body does not appear to be in an advanced state of decomposition, Corbett said. The female was most likely an adult or older teenager, he said.

The body is being sent to Anchorage for an autopsy by the state medical examiner.

Anyone with additional information regarding the case is asked to call BPD Sgt. Amy Davis at 907-543-3781.

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