Edward F. Aloysius, 01-23-05

WESTERN ALASKA

Body found of man who got lost, froze to death

A missing 68-year-old Alakanuk man was found dead Saturday outside his village, apparently the victim of hypothermia, Alaska State Troopers said.

Edward F. Aloysius was reported missing to local authorities Jan. 23, but troopers said he lived alone and could have been missing for days before anyone noticed. Authorities believe he was last seen Jan. 10, when he traveled by snowmachine to Nunam Iqua, about nine miles away, to buy groceries and then left that village for home in foggy, snowy conditions with the temperature hovering around zero.

Alakanuk, a village of about 670 people, is located roughly 15 miles from the Bering Sea and approximately 162 air miles northwest of Bethel.

Family members, village rescue teams, the Civil Air Patrol and troopers teamed up to hunt for Aloysius. On Wednesday, a searcher in an aircraft spotted snowmachine tracks heading toward the ocean, and ground teams were sent to the location. On Friday, searchers found footprints and Aloysius' glasses about 10 miles west of Flat Island. The following day they found his body about seven miles farther west.

"It is believed that Aloysius became lost on his trip home from Nunam Iqua and ultimately died from hypothermia," troopers said in a statement Monday.

His body was released to his family.