Teen found dead in South Fairbanks
Published Tuesday, February 26, 2008
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Stumble It!A Fairbanks boy was found dead in a residential area of the city’s south side Monday afternoon.
Police received a call around 4 p.m. about someone lying in the snow near the corner of Barnette Street and Garden Way. They arrived to find a deceased Alaska Native male, approximately 14 or 15 years old. The body did not have any identification.
It took police four hours to identify the boy, who was not carrying any identification at the time of his death. No local children had recently been reported missing, but Fairbanks is known as a hub for many youths who run away from villages in northern and central Alaska, and police speculated he may have been a runaway.
Lt. Dan Welborn said police had located the boy’s family Monday night, but his name had not been released by press time.
Exposure may have been a factor in the boy’s death, Welborn said, as he was not dressed to be outside for a long period of time. Temperatures were in the teens Monday afternoon. Welborn would not comment about how long police thought the boy might have been outside or if foul play was suspected in his death.
This could be the second suspected exposure death in less than a week. Julie Ann Tritt, a 48-year-old woman who lived on the streets of Fairbanks for more than 20 years, was found dead of apparent exposure Saturday morning on Seventh Avenue.
Community Discussion
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People remember this is a sad story of a baby. Just a young man that didn't get a chance to live. My heart breaks for all.
"These people", "your people" didn't we abolish segregation? Its not a matter of Indian people, black people, or white people...a young man is dead, other individuals are DEAD. JimKelly, the boy was 14 or 15 yrs old, where in the article did it say he was drunk? Have you personally conducted a study to prove that "these people" would rather be homeless and drunk? And if so did it include 14 and 15 yr old boys? Shame on you and Full Metal there is a special place for the two of you come judgment day!
Before anymore comments are added, please think carefully about your words. Despite the names/race and condition of those who have suffered from exposure, this is a CHILD. Somebody's little boy. Consider the fact that there is a grieving family who needs support not "zero sympathy". Contributing members of society also have needs (think back) and none of us are exempt from this pain.
Well its people like you, Jim Kelly who probly dont have any family or friends and dont know the meaning of love or anything even remotely close to it or you would know what it is like to lose a loved one as a result of alcohol. You probly spend your days alone and lonely, looking down on people because you have no life of your own....i pity people like you. These people have families who love them, who cared about them, alcoholism is a disease, and nobody wants to admit it, but it is a very serious sickness. And as for Full Metal Militia, what is that supposed to mean. YOUR PEOPLE? I know it is true, people should have been watching the woman in the wheel chair, and there are a few un named. There is one un named from November that has never been mentioned in the paper or on the news, only his obituary. Richard Pitka, also died of exposure. May him, and all the lost loved ones, whether it be here or overseas, REST IN PEACE
RIP and family is in my prayers.
Jim Kelly,
None of these people chose this life. I worked at a women's organization for a number of years. None of the women I advocated for were happy about the fact that they were addicted to drugs or alcohol, or that they spent a lot of time on the streets or couldn't hold a job. These are people who were affected by very unfortunate life circumstances which they had no control over. Many of these women grew up in awful, abusive homes and knew no other way of life. Many of them were sexually abused, raped or beaten from a very young age.
Before you judge them, try to put yourself in their shoes. Try to think about the emotional pain you would have to endure, and how in the world you would recover from so many terrible things happening to you. How would you cope?
This young boy was my first cousin. Regardless of whether alcohol was involved or not JK you should be ashamed of yourself. He was loved, unconditionally, and will be greatly missed. Please have a little bit of respect to him and his family during this trying time.
As for your "perfect" addiction free family, you may want to take a closer look... no one is perfect. We all fall sometimes, and a good majority of the time it's hard to get up from that fall. Who are you to judge "our people"? I guess in your mind "we" are the only ones with addiction issues. This disease is not selective of race, age, looks, financial or family status. Educate yourself.
This young boy was my first cousin. Regardless of whether alcohol was involved or not JK you should be ashamed of yourself. He was loved, unconditionally, and will be greatly missed. Please have a little bit of respect to him and his family during this trying time.
As for your "perfect" addiction free family, you may want to take a closer look... no one is perfect. We all fall sometimes, and a good majority of the time it's hard to get up from that fall. Who are you to judge "our people"? I guess in your mind "we" are the only ones with addiction issues. This disease is not selective of race, age, looks, financial or family status. Educate yourself.
Sincerely... Toni Wiehl
This is VERY sad!!! The authorities who identified this young man as Native is sooo stupid...if he didn't have any identification, how do they know he wasn't hispanic or some other nationality and for them to assume AK Native is plain ignorant on their part. We all have a responsiblity to society play your part!!!
There were some awful things to say when this young man has just lost his life. I feel so awful for his family and for him as i'm sure he was scared. God bless them.
I pray for all the people who don't have homes and food to eat. I don't know why (you don't either so quit speculating) they live outside and i'm not about to pass any judgement. Everyone will have their day in front of god. This whole blaming others for adult choices is not the way to go about it. If you really want to make a difference start attending meetings around town, bring it to the attention of organizations and resources OR even better start your own organization specifically for this tragedy!! It would be a great idea considering we have winter 9 out of 12 months a year.
In my opinion, Jim Kelly, I feel sorry for you!! Look at you bragging in a manner about your great family and yourself. That sure was nice of you to offer a sandwich to the "gentleman" but i'm sure you were thinking otherwise. You hipocrite!!
What is your definition of a contributing member to society anyways JK? PITY PITY PITY to you
I read these comments on a daily basis and have thought about posting my own, but it never bothered me enough to do it, until now.
First of all, I'd like to say, instead of ganging up on one person for their comments (rude or not) consider that it's freedom of speech. You may not agree with what they have to say, in this case, I hope you don't, but it is still their right to say whatever is on their mind. On the other hand, everyone should consider the feelings of the people more directly effected by this story.. the boy's family. Think twice about what you say. Regardless the color of your skin, how would you feel if it were your family member or friend in the article?
My deepest sympathies to the families and friends of those who have passed recently.
I agree as well, free speech and all, but it is a little hard to stomach those of us who so obviously lack on morals more than others. My thoughts and prayers go out to all those who are on hard times either with addiction, abuse, homelessness...or all of the above. It's hard to find a place in society when you are only a product of how you were raised. It's a never ending cycle.
BUT. Every person does have the chance to change the cycle. It's a matter of motivation, self preservation, and self respect. There are numerous resources out there for people who need education or help with addictions, even for those who cannot afford it.
My prayers to this young man and to his family.
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My prayers go out to this young man's soul and his family. This loss to the native community hurts every native heart.
I want to ask Fairbanks Daily Newsminer that they be mindful of his family and friends. I did not know this young man, but because we are both Alaska Native, I consider him family and I will claim him as one of "my own".
How many people can say that about you, Jim Kelly?
This was a mistake for you to jump on the race issue. There was nothing printed in the paper about this being an alcohol-related death, either. So, that was a mistake for you to jump on that train also. I pray the newminer will not print anything more other than a respectful obituary written by loved ones so that you, and other ignorant people like you, are left salivating for details.
I applaud Toni Wiehl for her comment in response to Jim Kelly.
The death of a young child to a family brings so much pain and
heartache--I send my love and prayers to the family of this young boy. We do not know what happened to him but whatever the cause of death, life is not suppose to end face down in a snow bank. The only ease from this heartache will be the family's faith that their young son is in a better place.
Comments such as those by Jim Kelly are never appropriate. The US and Alaska Constitutions do provide for the freedom of speech, but that does not mean morally and ethically you have a right to exercise your rights.
In response to other comments made, alcoholism is a disease and in severe cases can only be cured with intense medical treatment. It is not a simple task for an extreme alcoholic to end alcohol abuse.
Also is not a phenomenon that Native people suffer from the disease more often than other races. While some people credit genetics as the reason for this, alcohol abuse in Native communities is better understood as a symptom of societal oppression. It is the duty of Native people to come to terms with our current situation brought on by outside forces, reign in those forces and improve and elevate our communities. One way to do this is to educate people both Native and non-Native on the grave effects of the historical treatment of our people. The process of education will afford Natives support and respect in our efforts towards health and success.