Remains of missing Colorado man found

The body of 34-year-old Daniel Compeau, a Colorado man who went missing near Kenai Lake last month, has been found, Alaska State Troopers say.

Soldotna troopers got a call that someone found the body near the Kenai Lake shoreline on Sept. 15. It was identified by the state medical examiner Monday, according to a trooper dispatch. Compeau’s next of kin have been contacted.

Compeau’s remains were found on private property close to where troopers think we went missing, said Alaska State Troopers Public Information Officer Megan Peters in an email.

It is unknown how his remains surfaced in the lake a month after he was first reported missing on Aug. 15, and Peters said her department likely won’t look into that.

“We don’t investigate that aspect of it,” Peters said in an email. “We investigate a death to determine if criminality was involved. When no foul play is noted, there isn’t criminality.”

Compeau was reported missing by friends he had been camping with near Moose Pass. They told troopers he had been intoxicated when he wandered away from the campsite, according to the dispatch. Troopers called off their active search for him on Aug. 16.

Reach Megan Pacer at megan.pacer@peninsulaclarion.com

More in News

A young girl digs for razor clams at the Ninilchik Beach in Ninilchik, Alaska, on Saturday, July 1, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
East Cook Inlet clamming to remain closed for 2025

The causes of these conditions remain unknown but likely include effects from habitat changes and predation, officials said.

Graduates process into the 55th Annual Kenai Peninsula College Commencement Ceremony, held at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, May 8, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
‘The kinds of leaders Alaska and the world needs’

KPC graduates congratulated as they head into the next chapter of their lives.

Homer Electric Association General Manager Brad Janorschke speaks at the utility’s annual meeting of the members at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, May 1, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
HEA manager talks natural gas, hazard trees, rates at annual meeting

Natural gas remains the “backbone” of the utility’s energy production.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to reporters during a press conference at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 17, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Dunleavy orders freeze on state employee hiring, travel and new regulations due to fiscal crunch

Exemptions allowed for certain occupations and “mission-critical” purposes.

Students stock rainbow trout into Johnson Lake during Salmon Celebration, hosted by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game near Kasilof, Alaska, on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Celebrating the cycle of life

The annual Kenai Peninsula Salmon Celebration caps off the Salmon in the Classroom program.

State of Alaska Department of Law logo. Photo courtesy of the State of Alaska Department of Law
Homer woman sentenced for 2020 murder

Sarah Dayan was convicted in December for the murder of Keith Huss.

Borough Mayor Peter Micciche speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Borough mayor proposes mill rate decrease in $180M draft budget

The budget also follows his “balanced budget philosophy” of spending increases at or below around 2.5% year-over-year.

Kenaitze Indian Tribe chemical dependency councilor Jamie Ball performs during a candlelight vigil marking National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls at the Raven Plaza, Ggugguyni T’uh, in front of the Dena’ina Wellness Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Monday, May 5, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Vigil recognizes missing and murdered Indigenous women on national awareness day

Alaska Native women are overrepresented in the populations of domestic violence and rape victims in the state.

Most Read