After a 10 hour SERT-involved standoff in Klawock, a 27-year-old man from that community was taken into custody Tuesday night for the murder of his girlfriend.

More than a week earlier, on July 31st, the remains of 27-year-old Judylee Guthrie were found in a wooded area near Klawock. Her body was sent to the State Medical Examiner’s office in Anchorage for positive identification and autopsy as the Alaska Bureau of Investigation opened an investigation into her death.

By Monday, August 8th, the investigation by authorities determined that her boyfriend, 27-year-old Albert Macasaet was the sole suspect in her death. Troopers. after consultation with the District Attorney’s office in Ketchikan, decided to make a warrantless arrest of Macasaet on Tuesday. 

But, on contact at 1:30 pm, Macasaet and a family member resisted troopers as they made efforts to arrest him. When Macasaet produced a firearm, troopers retreated and obtained a warrant.

But, by that time, “Macasaet barricaded himself inside the residence along with two other adults and three juveniles – ages 13, 7, and 3,” troopers report. The negotiation process was initiated via telephone with Macasaet and the two adults. After several fruitless hours, the Southcentral Special Emergency Reaction Team was called in and deployed to the scene.

At 6:30 pm, as negotiations continued, the two other adults, and the 13-year-old exited the residence, but the two other children remained in the residence. Negotiations would continue, and at 11:25 pm, a “tactical intervention” was carried out by SERT and Macasaet was arrested. No injuries were reported by any party during the arrest.

Following his arrest, Macasaet was taken to Ketchikan, where he was admitted to the hospital for a possible drug overdose.

Following his release, troopers say Macasaet will be charged with Murder I. Troopers expect further charges of Resisting Arrest and Assault III to be leveled against Macasaet. A Ketchikan Grand Jury is scheduled to convene on August 16th regarding the case.

The Alaska State Troopers, Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Southcentral SERT, AST Crisis Negotiation Team, Craig Police Department, Klawock Police Department, U.S. Wildlife Service, and the Village Public Safety Officers in the area all had a hand in the efforts to investigate and apprehend Macasaet.[xyz-ihs snippet=”Adversal-468×60″]

  Alaska, albert macasaet, children, hydaburg, judylee guthrie, klawock, murder, sert, standoff, tactical team