At 6:53 pm on Tuesday, September 30th, the Nunapitchuk VPSO called in to the Bethel-based troopers to report a possible death near the community.

The village VPSO relayed to troopers that wood collecters on the Johnson River came upon a partially submerged skiff in the river and shortly after discovered a deceased individual about 20 feet up on the river bank.

After reporting the discovery, the VPSO traveled to the location and secured the scene before night fell.

Troopers arrived on the scene via helicopter early Wednesday morning.

The ensuing investigation found that the skiff operator, identified as 41-year-old Andrew Pavilla of Atmautluak, impacted the river bank at high speed.

Pavilla’s remains were transported to the State Medical Examiner’s office in Anchorage for autopsy.

Next of kin were notified.

  accident, Alaska, andrew pavilla, atmautluak, deceasd, nunapichuk, skiff, troopers