Exposure likely killed Palmer man

PALMER — Police say a man whose friends last saw him at 3 a.m. Wednesday was found dead late that evening, apparently from exposure.

“It appears to be a case of exposure; however, that has not been confirmed,” said Cmdr. Lance Ketterling with the Palmer Police Department.

The man, William B. Oryall, 21, of Palmer, was last seen hanging out with friends early Wednesday morning. It took the better part of the day to report him missing, though.

“His friends reported him missing about quarter after six or so that night,” Ketterling said.

A search ensued. Oryall’s body was found at 9:56 p.m. in a wooded area off of Valley Way near Cottonwood Way. Ketterling said he was not very far from the place he was last seen.

“Alcohol may have been a factor in this,” Ketterling said.

But, as with everything in the case, including that the death appears to be caused by exposure, Ketterling stressed that the information was preliminary and police are still investigating.