On June 9, Ekwok residents traveled to a cabin on Okstukuk Lake, about 35 miles north of Dillingham. Operator left the cabin by boat shortly before midnight and failed to return. The next morning, Other person found Operator’s empty boat on the lake’s east shore, partially submerged and out of gas.

After Other person returned to Ekwok to call for help, troopers initiated a search of the lake June 11 along with searchers from Ekwok and Dillingham and search dogs from Anchorage. The ground search was suspended June 17, but troopers continued the search by air for several more days.

Troopers found a body believed to be Operator’s in the lake at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday. The body has been sent to the state medical examiner’s office for an autopsy.

Alcohol is believed to be a factor in the incident, and Operator’s next of kin have been notified.
Dillingham                    