The body of a 10-year-old Alaska girl who disappeared on September 6 while playing at park was found on Friday, authorities confirmed.
Anchorage Daily News reports that authorities found Ashley Johnson-Barr’s remains in a remote area in her home town of Kotzebue, a week after the FBI launched a search-and-rescue mission for the young girl. According to FBI spokeswoman Staci Feger-Pellessier, authorities arrested 41-year-old Peter Wilson for “making false statements to a federal agent.”
“He’s being transferred to Anchorage to face these charges,” the agency said,
Ashley disappeared on September 6 while she was playing at the Rainbow Park playground in Kotzebue, at around 5:30 p.m. or 6 p.m. Around 17 FBI agents joined the Alaska State Troopers and several other organizations in an attempt to find her. Ashley’s cellphone was located around a half mile away from the park, in the opposite direction from her home.
Kotzebue, a small town with a population of around 3,100 people, is located 550 miles northwest of Anchorage.
No further information is available at this time, as authorities continue to investigate the scene.
“No additional information is available at this time; further updates will be provided as more details are available,” a trooper said in a statement.
Ashley’s father said his daughter was a happy child who loved basketball and went to church weekly. She often spent her allowance on friends and loved spending time with her niece.
The story continues to develop. Check back with CrimeOnline as additional details become available.
[Feature Photo: Ashley Johnson-Barr/Handout]