Troopers investigating pair of shooting deaths

WASILLA — The Alaska State Medical Examiner took possession Saturday of the bodies of a man and woman who apparently died of gunshot wounds.

Alaska State Troopers responded to a residence north and east of the Parks Highway between the Hyer Road and Seward Meridian Parkway exits at 1:48 a.m., Saturday, AST spokesman Tim DeSpain said.

Chelsi Baun, 25, of Colorado, was pronounced dead at the scene, troopers said. The male, identified by troopers as 26-year-old Tobias Siegel of Wasilla, was transported to Mat-Su Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead, AST reports in a press release Saturday evening.

The deaths seem to be the result of a murder and suicide, DeSpain said. He said it appears the man shot the woman and then turned the gun on himself.

“The bodies will be sent to the medical examiner to determine for sure the cause of death,” he said. “But it appears the male shot the female and then shot himself.”

DeSpain said early investigation has determined the two likely were not husband and wife. He said troopers aren’t sure how they knew each other, but they appear to be recent acquaintances.

Troopers report alcohol appears to be a factor in the case and that their investigation is ongoing.