Missing 21-Year-Old Man Found Dead More Than a Day After Boat Crashed Then Sank in River

Investigators said the boat struck a rock or log before capsizing early on June 6, officials said

NEED TO KNOW

• Frank Villalovos, 21, was reported missing after a boat capsized on the Little Willow River in Alaska early on June 6
• A female passenger, who has not been identified, was rescued by passersby
• Eventually, authorities found and recovered Villalovos’ body nearby

The body of a 21-year-old man who went missing after a boat overturned on an Alaska river has been recovered, authorities said.

Alaska State Troopers said in a release that searchers with the Alaska Dive Rescue Team found the victim near where the boat sank on Little Willow Creek on Sunday, June 7, at around 11:30 a.m. local time.

Officials said the body was recovered and identified as Frank Villalovos. His body was being taken to the State Medical Examiner's Office for an autopsy.

The discovery came a day after Alaska State Troopers said Villalovos was reported missing on Saturday, June 6, around 1:02 a.m. after the boat capsized in the river. 

Authorities learned that the accident happened when the boat struck a rock or log about three miles above the Parks Highway Bridge. Passersby rescued a female passenger who said Villalovos went missing. (She has not been identified at this time.)

First responders found the boat near where it sank, officials said. At the time, the search for Villalovos involved the Alaska State Troopers, the Willow/Caswell Fire Department, the Talkeetna Fire Department, MATSAR and the Alaska Dive Rescue Team. The operation involved underwater cameras and a K9. 

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Dana Fisher, who identified herself as Villalovos' mother in a Saturday social media post, wrote that her son was driving the boat when the incident occurred. At the time, she appealed for volunteers to help in the search. 

Alaska Dive Rescue Team and Alaska Solstice Search Dogs, both of which took part in the search, also confirmed Sunday's recovery of Villalovos' remains on social media. 

“Our condolences to the family and friends of the deceased young man,” wrote Alaska Solstice Search Dogs. 

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