Troopers find body of man reported missing 01/12/11

Story last updated at 5:51 PM on Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Troopers find body of man reported missing

By Michael Armstrong
Staff Writer

Alaska State Troopers searching from a helicopter on Tuesday found the body of a man reported missing Monday afternoon. Alex A. Martushev, 19, of Wasilla, was found dead about 10:30 a.m. Jan. 11 near Basargin Road off East End Road. Basargin Road is the road from about Mile 19 East End Road to the Russian Old Believer village of Razdolna. Next of kin have been notified.

Martushev had last been seen alive Friday night at a party in the Basargin Road area. Family reported him missing about 4:42 p.m. Monday after he had not returned home to Wasilla and had not shown up for a commercial fishing trip leaving from Homer. Troopers started searching Monday but did not find Martushev. They did find signs of a recent party.

Troopers resumed the search about 8 a.m. Tuesday morning and found Martushev several hours later. There were no signs of foul play, said Alaska State Trooper spokesperson Megan Peters. Martushev's body was sent to the Alaska State Medical Examiner in Anchorage.

A physical inspection and alcohol screening of the body was done Wednesday, said Greg Wilkinson, a spokesperson with the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services. Martushev's body was released to his family Wednesday morning.

The circumstances and cause of Martushev's death remain under investigation, Peters said.

Peters said people recreating outdoors should dress appropriately, even when it seems warm. Go in pairs and groups so someone can help if needed.

If someone is lost, alert troopers immediately before starting a search on your own.

"We'd much rather go out on a search and rescue, launch our resources and say, hold up, we found them," Peters said.

Homer Alaska - News