Update: At 8:38 p.m. Tuesday, the Juneau Police department confirmed in a press release that the body found in the 6000 block of North Douglas was in fact that of Kristina Elizabeth Young, 36. Police said her body showed signs of exposure to the elements, but there were no signs of foul play. Police have notified the next of kin and Young’s body is being sent to the State Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy.
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A body was discovered somewhere near the North Douglas boat launch area Tuesday evening, police said.
Juneau Police Department Lt. Scott Erickson said by phone that little is known about the body and no specifics about gender or age were immediately available, as investigators were still working the scene. As of 6 p.m. Friday, it remained unknown if the person found was missing Juneau woman Kristina Elizabeth Young, 36, though a friend of Young’s told the Empire it is.
Her brother, George Benjamin Young, 40, was found dead Sunday afternoon in Lemon Creek. It is believed that his body traveled more than a mile from a camp site where the two gathered earlier that day along the banks of Lemon Creek near Glacier Highway.
A massive search for Kristina Young’s body began Sunday night and continued into Monday. According to an Alaska State Trooper dispatch, authorities halted the search at 4 p.m. Monday, pending further leads.
[Search suspended for missing Juneau woman]
Bruce Bowler, the team manager for the Southeast Alaska Dogs Organized for Ground Search, said his SEADOGS team was not present when the body was found Tuesday. He said the body’s location wasn’t in proximity to where his team was working.
Helena Dymock and Christina Wheaton, friends of Kristina Young, said they spent most of Tuesday continuing the search for their friend despite authorities halting their efforts.
The two waded into Lemon Creek waist deep during their search, even though Wheaton said she was doubtful she would find her friend alive.
“It’s what friends do, what Alaskans do, we look out for our own,” Wheaton said.
Although authorities have not confirmed the body found is Kristina Young’s, Wheaton said she recieved confirmation that it is in fact her friend’s body, because authorities contacted a family member. Police were not able to confirm Wheaton’s report.
Instead of searching, Wheaton said she is now sending her thought and prayers to Kristina Young’s family, especially her children, and other friends.
This is a developing story. For updates visit us at juneauempire.com.
SEADOGS handlers Liam Higgins, left, and Allen Butner search for a possible missing woman Monday after George Benjamin Young, 40, was found dead along Lemon Creek on Sunday. Police said a second body was discovered Tuesday evening near the North Douglas boat launch.
