Residents organize search for missing musher

TALKEETNA — Residents are meeting at 3 p.m., today at Talkeetna Elementary School to organize a search for Melanie Gould, who was last seen May 31.

Alaska State Troopers say Gould is not officially a missing person, yet, but are asking anyone with information about her whereabouts to contact them at 733-2256.

Trooper spokeswoman Megan Peters said troopers have essentially put a notice into their computer system alerting any officers who have contact with Gould that troopers would like to speak with her.

“We’ve entered in that we want to do a welfare check on her just to make sure that she’s okay,” Peters said.

But without any evidence of foul play, or even any idea where to start looking and given that Gould is an adult entitled to privacy, at this point there isn’t a lot troopers can do.

“If she wants to go someplace and not tell her friends she’s entitled to do that,” Peters said.

Gould’s employer says she has not shown up to work since Monday. She left behind 12 sled dogs, which friends are now tending.

Friends say Melanie was driving a 1994 silver/blue Toyota pickup with a camper shell. She is 5 feet 9 inches tall, 145 pounds, with blond hair and blue eyes.

If you have seen or have information call Noelle Carbone at (907) 733-1237.

The 3 p.m. meeting at the elementary school will be to start a search for her truck. Friends have also started a facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Have-you-seen-Melanie-Gould/160060884060648