No arrests made as Juneau death investigation continues

Shortly before 4 p.m. Wednesday that a woman’s body was found

Juneau Police Department continued last Thursday to investigate the area of Kaxdigoowu Héen Dei, also known as Brotherhood Bridge Trail, after receiving a report shortly before 4 p.m. last Wednesday that a woman’s body was found in the area.

Late Wednesday night in a news release the police said a person of interest, who they did not name, had been identified and located, and the death is being investigated as a homicide. Thursday afternoon, JPD said in a news release the person of interest was released and no arrests had been made.

The woman has been identified as 55-year-old Faith Marie Rogers of Juneau, according to police, and her next of kin has been notified. The body is being sent to the Anchorage Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy, according to police.

Police encouraged people who witnessed unusual activity on Wednesday afternoon in the area to contact the department at 907-586-0600. Anonymous tips can be made online through www.juneaucrimeline.com.

For much of the evening last Wednesday, several law enforcement vehicles, including a mobile incident command center, were present near the trailhead. On Thursday morning at the crime scene, JPD Officer Austin Thomas and Officer Taylor Davis walked the fielded area, which was blocked off by crime scene tape. Multiple tents and a police vehicle sat in the field where the tape surrounded, another police vehicle sat in a dirt parking area. The area was reopened to the public early Thursday evening.

Linda Lewis, who lives near the crime scene, said she saw police lights throughout the night of Wednesday after returning home at around 5:30 p.m. She said when taking her dog for a walk on their typical route that evening, she was approached by a police officer who informed her that she was near the active crime scene. She said he asked her to vacate the area until further notice. She said she was unsurprised that a crime occurred in the area, but said she is hesitant to do her normal walking routes on Thursday until more information is released.

“I want more information,” she said. “I’m staying away from the area until they tell me what’s going on.”

Another nearby resident said they also saw police lights throughout Wednesday night and said Thursday morning they noticed less foot traffic than what is typical in the area. They said they hope to hear more information soon. The resident declined to give their name.

Contact reporter Clarise Larson at clarise.larson@juneauempire.com or 651-528-1807. Follow her on Twitter at @clariselarson.

Police vehicles gather Wednesday evening near Kaxdigoowu Héen Dei, also known as ]]Brotherhood Bridge Trail, while investigating what police have described as a suspicious death. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Police vehicles gather Wednesday evening near Kaxdigoowu Héen Dei, also known as ]]Brotherhood Bridge Trail, while investigating what police have described as a suspicious death. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

On Thursday morning at the crime scene, JPD Officer Austin Thomas and Officer Taylor Davis walk the fielded area which was blocked off by crime scene tape. Multiple tents and a police vehicle sat in the field where the tape surrounded, another police vehicle sat in a dirt parking area. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

On Thursday morning at the crime scene, JPD Officer Austin Thomas and Officer Taylor Davis walk the fielded area which was blocked off by crime scene tape. Multiple tents and a police vehicle sat in the field where the tape surrounded, another police vehicle sat in a dirt parking area. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

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