Searchers respond to Bering Sea

The Alaska State Troopers were notified on August 3, 2023, at 6:11 pm, that 37-year-old Mountain Village resident Carlie Alexie went overboard from a boat into the Bering Sea near the Pikmiktalik River. A preliminary investigation revealed that 37-year-old Kotlik resident Warren Okitkun, 25-year-old Kotlik resident Caitlyn Prince, Alexie, and a juvenile were boating in the area, and for unknown reasons, Alexie jumped off the boat into the Bering Sea and did not surface. Village Police Officers from Stebbins responded to the area to search for Alexie, and after they arrived, the boat being operated by Okitkun and Prince drove away toward St. Michael. The VPOs suspected that both adults were under the influence of alcohol and pursued the boat due to the risk posed to the juvenile still on board. VPOs were able to locate Okitkun and Prince in St Michael. In coordination with the Alaska State Troopers, Okitkun and Prince were arrested for Assault and DUI. Efforts to locate Alexie have been unsuccessful at this time. Search efforts have been suspended by local search and rescue groups and the US Coast Guard due to poor weather in the area. Next of kin have been notified.