The remains of one of the two men missing since last October has been found on the banks of the Kuskokwim River near the community of Tuntutuliak by the tribal police officer on Friday of last week. The remains were located just south of the mouth of the Kialik River.

Although Alaska State Troopers believe the remains to be that of Nick Cooke but are awaiting the Medical Examiner’s report confirming positive identification. The family of the missing man reported that it was in fact the remains of Cooke.

Cooke and another man, Jim Lee Napoka were lost in late October when they were traveling to Tuntutuliak from Tuluksak to attend a funeral but never made it to their destination. They were last heard from on October 22nd. It was then that they contacted family members and reported that they had made it in to Napaskiak and were planning on getting to Tuntutuliak on the next day. They were never heard from again.

Searches for the two men would continue on through November with no results. A boat fitting the description was found two days into the search submerged near the mouth of the Kialik River.

The man’s remains were sent to the State Medical Examiner’s office in Anchorage for positive identification.

The family of Cooke plan on a burial service later this week.

The other boater, Jim Lee Napoka remains missing and unaccounted for.

  Alaska, napaskiak, napoka, nick cooke, tuluksak, tuntutuliak