Alaska State Troopers report that the remains of a 14-year-old Togiak boy was recovered from the Nasaurluq Creek in Togiak early this morning.

According to the Trooper Dispatch, at about 3:30 am, 14-year-old Reuben D. Pauk was “huffing gas on the creek bank with several other juvenile males” from the village, when he fell in to the creek there. It was reported that at the time of the incident, the creek was high as the tide was incoming.

Utilizing the VPSO’s skiff, the VPSO and other community members launched a search for Pauk. But, Pauk’s body was not recovered until 6:15 am. Because of the rising tide, his remains were located approximately 100 feet up the creek from where he fell in in several feet of water.

The State Medical Examiner’s office in Anchorage was notified and they requested the remains for autopsy.

Although the troopers do not suspect foul play, the investigation is continuing.

  drowning, recovery, reuben pauk, togiak, troopers, vpso