Search Continues for Two Missing Akiak Travelers

Despite search efforts, George Evan (left) and Sally Stone (right) remain missing. Image-Facebook profiles
Despite search efforts, George Evan (left) and Sally Stone (right) remain missing. Image-Facebook profiles

The search is continuing for the last two of a three-person group traveling to Akiak from their original starting point of Bethel, but that search has gone without further results.

Alaska State Troopers believe that it is very likely that the two missing travelers , 27-year-old Sally Stone and 26-year-old George Evan, both of Akiak, were on the four-wheeler when it went into the Kuskokwim River last week.

On Sunday, the second day of the search, the remains of Ralph Demantle was pulled from the frigid river in the early afternoon. His remains were sent to the State Medical Examiner’s office in Anchorage for autopsy.

The three travelers left Bethel last week, and were last seen in Kwethluk on Thursday night. On Friday evening at 5 pm, the three were reported to the troopers as overdue when they did not arrive in Akiak.

The search by Bethel Search and Rescue and trooper air assets was initiated on Saturday. Shortly after the search began, four-wheeler tracks were spotted leading into an open lead in the river.

The search for Evan and Stone will continue.