A State Trooper was in Gambell on Wednesday to investigate the death of a 34-year-old Savoonga man— Stanley Rookok, who had gone missing last week while on a short trip to get water. Trooper Jonnathan Stroebel says Rookok’s body was found Wednesday about three miles southeast of Gambell. His ATV was stuck and he had not made it to the spring. Stroebel says the conditions at that time he disappeared were bad and getting worse. Searchers from Savoonga and Gambell were out in the storm, looking for Rookok who was reportedly not dressed for an extended time outdoors. There will not be an autopsy. His family is transporting the body back to Savoonga for burial.
Ben Matheson is a contributor with the Alaska Public Radio Network.
