Two boaters drowned on the Kobuk River near Noorvik earlier this week.
54-year-old Merna Sheldon and 34-year-old Albert Sheldon were recovered from the river by search and rescue volunteers in collaboration with Alaska State Troopers.
Merna and Albert left the community of Noorvik in a skiff on Monday, July 18th to go berry picking with a 4-year-old boy. A concerned friend reported them missing after they did not return by Tuesday morning, July 19th. According to a dispatch from State Troopers, the boy was found alone on the river bank waiting for both Sheldons to return to shore. The Sheldons’ skiff reportedly spun in circles on the river, causing Merna and Albert to fall overboard.
Albert Sheldon’s body was found on Tuesday evening, while Merna Sheldon’s body was recovered later on Wednesday evening. Both were found without life jackets.
