Rural Alaska

Troopers identify Bethel woman found dead after boat overturned, continue searching for missing man

Update, Sunday 11:30 a.m.:  Troopers have identified a woman found dead in the Kuskokwim River Thursday as Holly Mayeda, 25, of Bethel.

There were no signs of foul play and her family has been notified, the Alaska State Troopers wrote in an online dispatch Sunday.

A search for the man she was believed to have been boating with, 28-year-old Stacey Hoagland Jr.of Akiak, continues.

Original story:

Bethel Search and Rescue is scouring the Kuskokwim River after a boat capsized, leading to the death of one woman and leaving another man missing.

The rescue group in the Southwest Alaska community is searching the river and banks for Stacey Hoagland Jr., said Perry Barr, vice president of the group.

An adult woman who had been in the boat was found dead on Friday, after her body surfaced, he said. She was spotted near the village of Napakiak, downriver from Bethel.

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Hoagland's boat overturned earlier this week. He is believed to have been wearing a life jacket, Barr said.

"His boat was found on the east side of the island across Bethel boat harbor," the group said in a Facebook post.

Barr said he could not release the woman's name. He wanted to ensure next of kin had been notified.

Search teams in three skiffs are scanning the river, and a small plane is also looking for the missing boater.

Alex DeMarban

Alex DeMarban is a longtime Alaska journalist who covers business, the oil and gas industries and general assignments. Reach him at 907-257-4317 or alex@adn.com.

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