Wasilla teen found dead in ‘suspicious’ death

Alaska State Troopers were notified Friday morning that the body of a female had been found along a power line trail in Wasilla, near a storage facility.

The body has been identified as that of 16 year-old Alena Toennis of Wasilla.

Because evidence at the scene suggests that her death may be suspicious, the Alaska Bureau of Investigation has assumed case responsibility. Her body was sent to the State Medical Examiner’s Office, and her next of kin have been notified.

Toennis’s aunt, Crystal Drake Toennis, has reached out on social media asking for the community’s help regarding Alena and the events leading up to her death.

“We are asking for any information regarding her last moments. Who she was with, what car was she in, any others involved? Was there any suspicious activity in that area?” Toennis wrote over the weekend.

“We have limited knowledge but will update as more information is released. Please help my family get closure on this horrible situation.”

Toennis has also set up a GoFund Me account to help offset funeral and transportation costs, saying, “Regardless of Alena‘s choice of lifestyle, she was still just a child at the end of the day whose life was taken away from her too soon.”

An account has also been set up at Matanuska Valley Federal Credit Union to help. To donate, please visit www.gofund.me/aee3f4dc

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact AST through the AKTips smartphone app or online at www.dps.alaska.gov/AST/Tips