Updated 8-13-26 at 4:00 p.m.
Searchers have recovered the body of a hiker who went missing near Port Armstrong earlier this week (8-10-26). In a press release, Alaska State Troopers said they found the body of 22-year-old Ben Le today/on Thursday at the base of a tall cliff, concluding a three day search.
The official search for Le started Tuesday morning (8-11-26) after he didn’t return from a planned day hike the day before (8-10-26).
On Wednesday, a helicopter search crew spotted a body in a gully below a cliff around where Le had gone missing. Wildlife Troopers went back to the area today/Thursday to confirm the body was Le.
Troopers say Le’s next of kin have been notified.
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Original Post, 8-13-26 at 11:45 a.m.
Alaska State Troopers are searching for a hiker in Port Armstrong after he didn’t return from a planned day hike earlier this week (8-10-26).
Troopers say the missing man, 22-year-old Ben Le, is an employee at a hatchery in the community on the southeast side of Baranof Island. In a press release issued Wednesday (8-12-26), troopers said he left for a hike Monday morning and was expected to return by 4:30 p.m. later that day.
Ground and aerial search efforts started Tuesday morning (8-11-26) with help from Alaska National Guard, Juneau Mountain Rescue, Alaska Wildlife Troopers, SEADOGS, and the U.S. Coast Guard. Sitka Fire Department Search and Rescue was called in Tuesday afternoon, and provided a K9 team and two field members.
Responders searched until around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday before breaking for the night. The search started up again Wednesday morning with help from the National Guard, Alaska Rescue Coordination Center, and a thermal drone team.
Sitka Interim Fire Chief Brian McLaughlin said field and K9 teams from Sitka and Juneau withdrew from the search Wednesday morning.
Troopers say Le was last seen wearing a black windbreaker with a blue short sleeve t-shirt underneath, black hiking style pants, rubber boots, and black biking type gloves. They ask anyone with information regarding Le to contact the Alaska State Troopers in Juneau at 907-465-4000.
Editor’s Note: This is a developing story and may be updated.
