Body of Norton Sound boater found

David Slwooko, 41, and Debbie Kimoktoak, 48, went missing last week after leaving Koyuk in a 17-foot skiff. Along with two dogs, they were headed for the Unalakleet, but they never arrived. Their skiff was found upside down and beached about 13-miles southwest of Unalakleet.

Trooper Spokesperson Beth Ipsen says a passing pilot spotted Kimoktoak’s body Friday not far from where the boat and much of the debris drifted ashore. Ipsen says a state trooper searched the coastline for Slwooko in a helicopter over the weekend.

“Yesterday, there were about nine boats, aluminum skiffs that were out searching the shoreline,” said Ipsen. But she said that Troopers have since suspended their efforts in the search pending new leads.

The bodies of both dogs drifted ashore in the same area.


View Norton Sound boaters missing in a larger map

Sign up for The Signal

Top Alaska stories delivered to your inbox every week

Site notifications
Update notification options
Subscribe to notifications