News

Jul 02, 2025

Body of American service member recovered after kayak overturns on Chena River

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTUU) - The body of 24-year-old American service member Christian Diaz was recovered from the Chena River Sunday evening, according to the Fairbanks Police Department (FPD). “Our

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTUU) - The body of 24-year-old American service member Christian Diaz was recovered from the Chena River Sunday evening, according to the Fairbanks Police Department (FPD).

“Our heartfelt condolences go out to Christian’s family, friends, and fellow airmen during this incredibly difficult time,” FPD Public Information Officer Teal Soden wrote in a statement.

Diaz was reported missing Friday evening, and his body was recovered Sunday evening at approximately 7 p.m. near the Pioneer Park Boat Launch. Police said Diaz was stationed at Korea’s Kunsan Air Base, but he was training at Eielson Air Force Base, according to FPD.

Diaz had been kayaking with three friends Friday, and FPD said he was not wearing a life jacket when his kayak overturned near the Boat Launch around 7 p.m.

Soden said multiple agencies and volunteers had been continuously searching since Diaz went missing Friday.

“We want to remind the public that conditions on the Chena River can be unpredictable and potentially dangerous, even for strong swimmers,” Soden wrote. “Please use extreme caution when recreating near or on the water, and always wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket while boating, kayaking, or floating the river. A life jacket can make all the difference in an emergency.”

Those who assisted in the search and recovery efforts included personnel from the Fairbanks Fire Department, University Fire, Fairbanks Police Department, Village Public Safety Officers (VPSOs), service members from Eielson TAC-P and Eielson SERE, volunteers from PAWS Search & Rescue and Volunteers in Police, and divers from Hard Core Divers.

See a spelling or grammar error? Report it to [email protected]

Copyright 2025 KTUU. All rights reserved.