Skull Found in ‘97 in Remote Alaska Belongs to New York Man

Snow-covered hills in the Porcupine River Tundra in the Yukon Territories, Canada, on Aug. 12, 2009. Rick Bowmer/AP Photo

JUNEAU, Alaska—A skull found in 1997 in a remote part of Alaska’s Interior belongs to a New York man whose death was likely caused by a bear mauling, according to the Alaska State Troopers.

Investigators used genetic genealogy to help identify the remains as those of Gary Frank Sotherden, according to a statement Thursday from the troopers.