The Latest: Body identified as missing Gambell woman

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The Latest on the death of a missing Gambell woman:

1:45 p.m.

A body found outside the Bering Sea island community of Gambell has been identified as a missing village woman.

Alaska State Trooper spokesman Tim DeSpain says the woman was 22-year-old Gladys Aningayou (an-in-GAY-oo) of Gambell.

Family members reported Aningayou missing Sunday.

Searchers Monday found a body several miles outside of Gambell.

DeSpain says there were difficulties in making a positive identification but the state medical examiner confirmed the identity.

Troopers earlier Friday announced that a person of interest in Aningayou’s disappearance, 37-year-old Benjamin Booshu (BOO-shoo), had killed himself.

Tim DeSpain says Booshu on Tuesday shot himself outside his home before he could be questioned.

DeSpain says investigators believe Booshu was the last person seen with Aningayou.

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11:30 a.m.

Alaska State Troopers say a man sought for questioning in the disappearance of a village woman has killed himself.

Troopers say 37-year-old Benjamin Booshu (BOO-shoo) was a “person of interest” in the disappearance of 22-year-old Gladys Aningayou (an-in-GAY-oo) of Gambell.

Witnesses on Tuesday watched Booshu kill himself outside his home. Troopers spokesman Tim DeSpain says he shot himself.

The state medical examiner scheduled an autopsy for Booshu for Friday.

Gambell is one of two villages on St. Lawrence Island in the Bering Sea southwest of Nome.

Family members reported Aningayou missing Sunday.

Searchers Monday found a body several miles outside of Gambell. The body was believed to be Aningayou.

The body was sent to the state medical examiner for positive identification.