Two Bodies Found Among Debris from Allegedly Capsized Fishing Boat in Alaska

December 11, 2024 TruthUSA

JUNEAU, Alaska—Authorities have recovered two bodies from the wreckage of a fishing boat that reportedly capsized in turbulent waters off southeast Alaska earlier this month, with five individuals on board.

Evidence collected at the site on Monday, including buoys and equipment from the Wind Walker, led officials to believe that the two deceased were aboard the vessel, Austin McDaniel, a spokesperson for the Alaska Department of Public Safety, stated via email on Tuesday.

The bodies are being transported to the state medical examiner’s office for autopsies and verification of identities, as confirmed by the department. Family members of the five missing individuals from the boat have been informed about the recovery of the two bodies, McDaniel reported.

On Monday, officials investigated a bay east of Hoonah after a beachcomber discovered remains and debris, which comprised fishing equipment and survival suits tied to the boat, according to the department and McDaniel. Search teams, including dog units, combed roughly 5 miles (8 kilometers) of coastline but did not uncover additional human remains, the department noted.

The location of the recovery site is estimated to be about 12-13 miles (19-21 kilometers) southwest of the Wind Walker’s last known position, McDaniel added. Hoonah is situated approximately 40 miles (64 kilometers) west of Juneau.

As per the U.S. Coast Guard, the crew of the Wind Walker issued a mayday call at 12:10 a.m. on December 1, indicating that the 50-foot (15-meter) vessel was capsizing off Point Couverden, located southwest of Juneau. The Coast Guard attempted to gather further details while mobilizing a rescue operation, but the crew was unresponsive.