Alaska State Troopers found the body of Nick Cooke near Tuntaltuliak Friday. They received a report from the tribal police officer from Tuntutuliak that a body had been located on the bank of the Kuskokwim River just south of the Kialik River.
"Troopers were able to respond and collect the remains have been sent to the state medical examiners office for positive identification," said Megan Peters, a spokesperson for the Alaska State Troopers.
"At this point we do believe that the remains belong to a man that was the subject of a search and rescue that began on October 25th of last year.”
The family confirmed the body found was the body of Bethel man, Nick Cooke.
Because of protocol, the remains were sent to the State Medical Examiner’s office for positive identification. No foul play is suspected.
Nick Cooke and Jim Lee Napoka were last heard from on October 22nd. They were headed to Tuntutuliak for a funeral and never made it. Freezing weather halted the search in November. Napoka is still missing.
Cooke is the brother of Bethel Native Corporation President and Alaska Federation of Natives Co-Chair, Ana Hoffman.
The family of Nick Cooke says they are preparing for a burial service in Bethel later this week.