The remains found in the frozen Koyukuk River, below the bluff upriver from the village of Koyukuk on March 6th, have been tentatively identified as those of 57-year-old Ralph Silas.

Silas was last seen on January 18, 2014 and was reported missing on February 12th after residents of Koyukuk and Nulato realized that he hadn’t been seen for an extended period of time. Silas was known to travel frequently between the two Yukon River communities.

When Silas disappeared, it was unknown what he was wearing or what equipment he may have had with him. As soon as his absence was reported, a ground search was initiated in both communities and a Alaska Wildlife Trooper aircraft was dispatched and flew the extended area around the communities. No sign was ever found of the missing man.

The remains were discovered by a trapper as he was out checking his trapline last Thursday.

An Alaska State Trooper responded to the scene from Galena 31 miles away to recover the remains. The body was sent to the State Medical Examiner’s office in Anchorage for autopsy and positive identification.

Both Nulato and Koyukuk reside along the Yukon River. Nulato has a population of approximately 300, while Koyukuk has a population of about 90.