Lovett's sister asks anyone who'd seen him to contact authorities

BIG LAKE —The State Medical Examiner’s (SME) office positively identified the remains of a body discovered Sept. 2 as that of 52-year old James Lovett of Wasilla.

Alaska State Troopers investigated a report of found remains near Hollywood Road near Big Lake around 1 a.m. At that point in the investigation, police reported they appeared to be a male subject. The SME announced it had identified the remains Wednesday afternoon but did not list cause of death.

Sonya Lovett, sister of the deceased, said she last spoke with her brother around the third week of July.

“My mother talked with him on the telephone on his birthday which was Aug. 6,” Sonya said. “It wasn’t abnormal for him to not contact anyone for awhile. He would go out and do things and we didn’t think there was anything to worry about.”

Sonya said several days before they were notified of his death; she and the family did begin to question why James hadn’t posted anything to social media. She said James’ means of transportation was a custom, older Honda motorcycle.

“His motorcycle had a custom mole skin seat on it. The last we knew, he was heading over to Bethel for work,” said Sonya. “He was a really great guy. A lot of people in the Valley knew him. We’re not sure at this time if it was an accident or if someone is responsible for his death. My brother was a good person who loved life. My family deserves to know why and how he was taken from us.”

Sonya said police haven’t released any information regarding discovery of the remains to family members. She said the family is asking anyone with information about Lovett or his motorcycle to contact the AST at 907-373-8300 or the Mat-Su Valley Crime Stoppers at 907-745-3333 or its website matsucrimestoppers.org. All contacts are anonymous.

“If you have any information, if you had spoken with him, even just saw him pumping gas or walking down the street within the last few months, please (contact authorities),” Sonya said.

Palmer Alaska Bureau of Investigation (ABI) is handling the ongoing case.