Former Alaska USA banker drains dead Palmer man’s bank account

PALMER— An Anchorage women was arrested on Tuesday, April 17 for stealing a dead Palmer man’s life savings from his Alaska USA Federal Credit Union account after an investigation conducted by the Palmer Criminal Suppression Unit assisted by the Financial Crimes Unit, according to Alaska State Troopers (AST) dispatch.

Susana Lepou, 30, was charged with 3 counts of Theft II, and 2 counts of Criminal Use of a Computer after allegedly stealing funds from Keith Aumavae, a Palmer resident who was found dead at the bottom of a cliff near the Knik-Goose Bay Airport back on November 10, 2017. Aumavae was last seen alive on Oct. 19, 2017 his body was found weeks later in his wrecked vehicle at the cliff base. According to AST, “an investigation into his death determined no foul play.”

Former Alaska USA employee Lepou apparently did not know Aumavae personally, according to AST. The Palmer Criminal Suppression Unit and Financial Crimes Unit began investigating suspicious activity in the deceased man’s bank account on February 27, 2018. Lepou allegedly accessed Aumavae’s account.

“Further investigation has revealed additional victims. The investigation is continuing and more charges are expected,” wrote AST.

Lepou was taken to the Anchorage Jail wither her arraignment pending.