Update April 2, 2025:
Police have released the name of a man whose body was discovered last week on a Japonski Island beach.
Police identified the deceased as 62-year-old Aaron Johnson, who lived aboard his sailing vessel, The Spirit, in Eliason Harbor.
On March 27, police received a report of an unresponsive male face down on the beach. Johnson was declared deceased at the scene. His body was sent to the state medical examiner’s office for identification.
Foul play is not suspected, and police say Johnson’s next of kin have been notified.
Original Report:
Sitka Police are investigating after a person was found dead Thursday afternoon on a Japonski Island beach, off Seward Avenue.
Around 3:30 on Thursday, police received a report of an unresponsive male face down on the beach. In a press release published Friday, police say they located the male, and he was declared deceased at the scene. Police say no foul play is suspected at this time.
He did not have any identification, but the release said a “presumptive ID” was made. His body will be sent to the state medical examiner’s office for identification. Police will release his name once next-of-kin are notified.
