The Nunapitchuk man who lost his way on Wednesday morning on his way from Toksook Bay from Nunapitchuk has been found deceased.

Jed Alexie, was last seen passing by Nightmute at 2 am Wednesday morning before apparently getting separated from his traveling partner on the way to Toksook Bay. He was found approximately six miles from his destination. The man he was traveling with, Merlin Felix, arrived safely at Toksook Bay at about 3 am that morning.

Adverse weather hampered search efforts Wednesday and for the early morning yesterday. Teams were finally able to get out and continue their search at about 10 am yesterday. Within the hour, the ground search team found Alexie’s remains.

Although preliminary investigations find it likely that Alexie died from exposure to the elements, his body has been shipped to Anchorage to undergo an autopsy at the State Medical Examiner’s office.

Alaska State Troopers say that alcohol appears to be a factor in Alexie’s death.