While out on a patrol boat on Saturday near Georgetown 15 miles to the east of Crooked Creek on Saturday, troopers were flagged down by a small vessel. The occupants of the vessel reported to troopers that a cabin along the George River had just burned down and that there was possibly a victim still in the structure.

The Aniak-based troopers responded to the scene 6 miles up the river and came upon the burned down structure and also found the remains of a victim inside.

Troopers tentatively identified the remains found there as 30-year-old Joseph Phillips of Crooked Creek.

The remains were transported to the Alaska State Medical Examiner’s office in Anchorage for autopsy and positive identification.

The State Fire Marshal’s office was notified, as was Phillip’s next of kin.

The investigation into the fire is ongoing

[smoothcategory catg_slug=”rural”]

  crooked creek, deceased, fire, george river, joseph phillips