The FBI says a string of disappearances and deaths of Alaska Natives can be traced to alcohol, not the work of a serial killer.

The FBI looked at 24 missing persons and suspicious death cases, mostly of Native men but some of Native women. The agency says nine of the cases can be linked to excessive alcohol consumption.

Another nine cases are still being investigated by state and local authorities. Two cases weren't examined at the request of families, two were already prosecuted criminally and one was a snowmachine accident.

The disappearances and deaths occurred in and around Nome.

Get the Story:
Alcohol blamed in Nome disappearances mystery (The Anchorage Daily News 6/30)
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Relevant Links:
Kawerak, Inc. - http://www.kawerak.org
City of Nome - http://www.nomealaska.org

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