Investigators say a body found Tuesday night near Eklutna Lake is an adult male and not that of abducted barista Samantha Koenig, continuing a mystery that has captivated the city’s attention for more than six weeks.
APD spokesperson Lt. Dave Parker said Wednesday that state medical examiners had determined the gender but not the identity of the remains, with confirmation that they were those of an adult coming Wednesday afternoon. An autopsy is expected to take several days, with an identification of the body expected no sooner than Thursday.
On Tuesday, Sgt. Slawomir Markiewicz -- the head of APD's homicide unit -- confirmed that the body was part of a death investigation.
A snowshoer discovered the body a few miles down Eklutna Lake Road at about 5 p.m. Tuesday and called it in to APD, which sent its Major Crime Scene vehicle and several cruisers to the scene to recover the remains.
Access to the area was temporarily blocked, with only residents allowed into the area, but the road was reopened at about 11 p.m. Tuesday.
Parker says once medical examiners determine a cause of death, investigators will decide which -- if any -- law-enforcement agency will be responsible for the case.
This is a developing story. Please check KTUU.com and the Channel 2 newscasts for updates.
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