Troopers: Aumavae died from injuries; no signs of foul play

Alaska State Troopers said Monday that an autopsy performed on a missing Palmer man found dead in his car at the bottom of a Point MacKenzie cliff showed no signs of foul play.

Keith Ben Aumavae, 30, was last seen Oct. 19 and reported missing Oct. 27. He was found in his car at the bottom of a 100-foot cliff near the Goose Bay Airport Friday.

In an online dispatch, troopers said Aumavae died from impact injuries consistent with driving off the cliff. The family was notified of the findings, according to troopers.

“There were no suspicious injuries or defensive type wounds observed on Aumavae’s body,” according to the statement. “No foul play is suspected at this time. Toxicology test results will not be available for a several weeks.”

Original story:

A Palmer man reported missing in late October has been found along with his car, Alaska State Troopers said Saturday afternoon.

In an online dispatch, troopers said the car and body of Keith Ben Aumavae, 30, were discovered at the bottom of a cliff near the Goose Bay Airport in the Point MacKenzie area.

Aumavae was last seen Oct. 19 and reported missing Oct. 27.

Following it the complete trooper statement:

Update: On 11/09/17, at approximately 1650 hours, AST received a report of a vehicle at the bottom of a cliff overlooking the inlet near Goose Bay Airport. Troopers responded and located the vehicle down a 100-foot cliff. The vehicle, later determined to be a 2001 Chrysler Sebring registered to Keith Aumavae was partially covered with silt and only accessible at low tide. On 11/10/17, at approximately 1637 members of the Alaska Mountain Rescue Group (AMRG) assisted Troopers in reaching the vehicle. Human remains believed to be those of Keith Aumavae were found inside the vehicle. The remains have been sent to the State Medical Examiner for positive identification and to determine cause and manner of death. Next of Kin have been notified. The investigation is continuing.