The body of 48-year old Debbie Kimoktoak was found last Friday on the beach southwest of Unalakleet. Alaska State Trooper Spokesperson Beth Ipsen says a Bering Air helicopter pilot reported spotting the body southwest of Unalakleet. State troopers went out and recovered the body. Ipsen says Kimoktoak’s body was sent to the state medical examiners office in Anchorage for an autopsy. A local search effort continues today for 41-year-old David Slwooko who is still missing.
One week ago Slwooko and Kimoktoak left Koyuk in a 17-foot boat. Alaska State Troopers believe the boat capsized, found on Thursday, upside down on the beach 13 miles southwest of Unalakleet. Ipsen says Kimotoak’s body was found not far from where the boat and much of the debris drifted ashore.
Ipsen says in the search for Slwooko, a state trooper searched the coastline in a helicopter over the weekend.
“There were about nine boats, aluminum skiffs, that were out searching the shoreline, looking at the shoreline; but, as of today, suspended their efforts in the search pending new leads if other information comes up that we can find David,” Ipsen said.
The couple had two dogs with them – the bodies of both dogs drifted ashore in the same area. The search continues for 41-year-old David Slwooko.
Laureli Kinneen is a reporter at KNOM in Nome.
