Boaters from missing Southeast fishing charter boat identified

SITKA, Alaska (KTUU) - The U.S. Coast Guard has recovered the body of one person and has called off the search for four more people from a fishing charter vessel that was last seen near Sitka on Sunday afternoon.

Alaska State Troopers have confirmed that the body of 57-year-old Maury Agcaoili of Waipahu, Hawaii was recovered Sunday.

According to the Coast Guard, Sector Juneau watchstanders received a phone call Sunday night from Kingfisher Charters who reported a charter vessel was overdue. There were five people onboard including Agacaoili, and four of them remain missing — 53-year-old Danielle Agcaoili of Waipahu, Hawaii; 61-year-old Robert Solis and 56-year-old Brandi Tyau of Canoga Park, CA; and 32-year-old Morgan Robidou of Sitka. Both Agcaoilis and Solis and Tyau were believed to be couples.

By Thursday morning, troopers said two more bodies were recovered from the sunken vessel, which authorities believe to be Danielle Agcaoili and Brandi Tyau. Troopers said crews recovered the two bodies around 5 p.m. Wednesday and will be taken to Anchorage to be positively identified by the State Medical Examiner.

The Coast Guard says the vessel, a 30-foot aluminum charter boat, was found partially submerged near Low Island approximately one mile east of Shoals Point on Kruzof Island.

Multiple vessels and aircraft were involved in the search, which was suspended late Monday night around “sunset,” according to the Coast Guard. Officials said an area of around 825 square miles was searched by both air and water crews over the course of about 20 hours.

“Suspending a search is never an easy decision,” Capt. Darwin Jensen was quoted in a release. Jensen is captain of the Port Southeast Alaska, according to the Coast Guard.

“We extend our deepest sympathy to the loved ones during this difficult time. Our sincere thanks to community partners and the good Samaritan vessels who rapidly responded to help in the search.”

The Coast Guard also credited the crews of the Air Station Sitka MH-60 and Air Station Kodiak HC-130 Hercules aircraft, the Aids to Navigation Team Sitka Special Purpose Craft boat crew, the Coast Guard Cutter Douglas Denman, the Sitka Fire Department, Hanson Maritime, and several good Samaritan vessels for helping in the search.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated with additional information and to reflect correct spelling of victim’s names.

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