Two duck hunters found a body around 7:30 a.m. Wednesday in the Mendenhall Wetlands. Juneau Police recovered it near Sunny Point.
“It appears as though the man had been in the water and exposed to the elements for a minimum of several days, maybe even longer. So the condition of the man was really poor, which really limited the ability to do some identification,” said Lt. David Campbell, a Juneau Police spokesman.
Juneau police could not determine the man’s race or age, but he appeared to be middle-aged.
“He had no identification, but there are some items that make us think we might know who this gentleman is,” Campbell said.
Campbell can’t disclose what the items are because it’s an open investigation. He said the man was wearing “normal” clothing. Police don’t think he’s a crewman on a ship or is linked to any crime. Campbell said he doesn’t fit any missing person reports from the last 30 days. He said it’s possible the man was homeless.
The cause of death is unknown, but Campbell said it likely isn’t connected to the duck hunting season.
“Something caused this gentleman to pass away. He was in the channel. The channel brought him to the area where he was ultimately recovered and the fact that it was opening day and the hunters happened to be on the area is how he was discovered,” he said.
The man’s body was sent to the state medical examiner in Anchorage.
Anyone with information on the man’s identity is encouraged to contact Juneau police, 586-0600.
