Emily Merriam, 12-08-04

Alaska Digest
(Published: December 10, 2004)

SOUTHEAST ALASKA - Petersburg woman's body found floating in Wrangell Narrows

A 58-year-old woman was found dead Wednesday morning in waters off Kupreanof Island near Petersburg, Alaska State Troopers said.

Troopers did not release a cause of death for Emily Merriam of Petersburg. No obvious signs of foul play were found at the scene, but Merriam's body will still be flown to Anchorage for an autopsy, troopers said.

Authorities were notified about the body, which was found near the shore in an area called the Wrangell Narrows, around 11 a.m. Troopers said a vessel was seen drifting nearby.