Hunter from Fairbanks found dead beneath cliff near Sitka

Oct. 14—A man who went missing on a hunting trip near Sitka died this week, his body found beneath a cliff, Alaska State Troopers said.

Fairbanks resident Ryan Ruesch, 47, was hunting near Lake Diana southeast of Sitka when he became separated from his hunting partner Monday and didn't make it back to camp that night, troopers said in an online report.

Troopers said they were notified that Ruesch was missing Tuesday morning and requested help from the U.S. Coast Guard because of the steep terrain and remoteness. A Coast Guard helicopter from Sitka found Ruesch below a 300-foot cliff that officials believe he fell from, troopers spokesman Tim DeSpain said.

Ruesch was brought to Sitka, where paramedics pronounced him dead, according to troopers. He's believed to have died from injuries caused by the fall, DeSpain said.

A fundraiser for Ruesch's family has been set up on Gofundme.