The body of 48-year old Debbie Kimoktoak was found last Friday on the beach southwest of Unalakleet. Trooper Spokesperson Beth Ipsen says a Bering Air helicopter pilot reported spotting the body on the shoreline. 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 – still missing.
One week ago Slwooko and Kimoktoak left Koyuk in a 17-foot boat to travel from Koyuk to Unalakleet. Alaska State Troopers believe the boat capsized. It was 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:
Yesterday there were about nine boats – aluminum skiffs – that were out searching the shoreline. But as of today, troopers have suspended their efforts in the search, pending new leads if other new information comes up – if we can find David.
The couple had two dogs with them when they left Koyuk last Monday. Ipsen says the bodies of both dogs drifted ashore in the same area the boat, the body of Kimoktoak and the debris was found. The local search effort continues today for 41-year-old David Slwooko. The couple was first reported missing last Tuesday.
