Homicide charges might be filed in the death of a Nunapitchuk woman.
Sandra Frye, age 26, was found by Bethel Search and Rescue in late November after the police received a report of two men trying to start a snowmachine on the trail to Atmautluak. They were told that a woman was seen lying in the snow nearby. Frye was rushed to the hospital, where she died of her injuries the following day. According to Acting Police Chief Burke Waldron's notes on the incident, the results of Frye's autopsy "show that she died as a result of foul play."
In an interview, Waldron said that Frye had sustained blunt force trauma to her torso, which ultimately caused her death. He added that Frye might have been killed unintentionally. Waldron would not say whether the two men found near Frye were involved in her death, but did say that alcohol was a factor in the incident.
Frye is survived by her four children. "She loved everyone," said her cousin Stephanie Wise in a written statement. "She made us laugh in many ways, especially with teasing and telling funny stories. She will be missed by many."
The Bethel Police Department's investigation of Frye's death is ongoing and they have referred the case to the District Attorney's office.