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Search For Samantha Koenig Ends and Grieving Process BeginsMedical examiner's office confirms they found the body of 18-year-old baristaRelated Content
ANCHORAGE – Wednesday afternoon Anchorage police said the medical examiner’s office confirmed that the body found Monday at Matanuska Lake is Samantha Koenig. The two month long search for the 18-year-old barista has ended, but the grieving process has just begun. A Koenig family friend said they’ve been pulling together for strength over the last few days, depending on each other and the community for support to make it through. At Common Grounds Espresso stand, where Koenig was last seen, bouquets of flowers in her memory have been piling up since Monday evening, when word of her discovery began to circulate. The ice where divers found her body is marked with symbols of the community's grief. While the Koenig family awaits autopsy results and makes memorial arrangements, a family friend said that grieving is a long process. “They are supporting each other, and just kind of clinging on to each other right now for support and, love and that's a good thing,” said Michelle Tasker. “Samantha had an amazing family, and a very close family, and so right now they're just kind of banning together and they're going to get through it, it's just gonna take some time." Starting Wednesday you might see green ribbons appearing across anchorage and this time Koenig’s favorite color ribbons have a different meaning – they are now in her memory. No service has been scheduled yet. |
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Compassionate said on Wednesday, Apr 4 at 8:58 PM
So sad. Bless her soul and condolences to her family.
86484175Becky said on Wednesday, Apr 4 at 10:43 PM
Prayers to her family. I'm so sorry to hear this.
86486916Christopher said on Wednesday, Apr 4 at 10:55 PM
Man this world is something else and the creeping guys, i'm a dude and i don't like the guys!
86487234gitanys said on Wednesday, Apr 4 at 11:03 PM
my heart goes out to this family
86487436Lawrence said on Thursday, Apr 5 at 8:02 AM
I am so sorry. She is now with the Lord, embraced by everlasting life and love.
86518285Raquel, Hanah & Hevyn said on Thursday, Apr 5 at 8:09 AM
Sam, a beautiful soul gone to soon, rest now & soar high with the Angels. Keeping James, family & friends in my thoughts & prayers. :'(
86519076Dan said on Thursday, Apr 5 at 8:45 AM
There needs to be a Law of Death in this state of Alaska for this kind of crime ASP !!!
86522786Robin said on Thursday, Apr 5 at 8:52 AM
There are no words to make anything better right now. There is nothing that can be done to the person who did this that will make any difference, BUT I do hope that this person, this devil, ends up in hell where he belongs. A federal penitentiary is a living hell. This was not what I was anticipating. I thought we would find her somewhere, held against her will, and she would come home to her family and friends. This horrible ending is just beyond words. I cannot, and won't let myself, imagine the pain of her family. What a loss to us all. My mind keeps going back to revenge. Can't help myself. I want revenge if that's possible. Let God forgive him. not me.
86523544DrLongBear said on Thursday, Apr 5 at 9:05 AM
Of all the lakes in Alaska, why Mananuska Lake? Why did LE pick that lake to search in? I mean, they went straight to it...(I am glad they found her, I would have been ecstatic had they found her alive.) Obviously, this perp is not a rocket scientist. LE had to have had information...was it something he left behind in his shed(going with the anti-scientist theory.) or, did someone see him? That area has almost no traffic...did he talk to someone else...or, is there someone else who had intimate knowledge of the crime...and, if so, how intimate - why do they know. This whole amazingly stupid, incredibly horrific act has torn the heart of Anchorage, as well as the Valley, and all Alaska; just when you think it could not possibly get worse, some narcissistically twisted image of evil proves us wrong.
86524876DrLongBear said on Thursday, Apr 5 at 9:14 AM
Those of you hoping for the death penalty, I would remind you the feds are involved in this, and they do have the death penalty, even in non death penalty states...personally, I see it as the only bright spot on the horizon in this case. I sincerely hope the feds run with this case...this guy broke every federal law he could...I am positive if it were put vote in Alaska, even those who rail against the death penalty, would vote for the feds to run with it to the end of this evil...(Well, as long as they aren't the person pushing the plunger, why not?!) Anyway, just an after thought that might somehow help dull the ache of the murderous loss of this beautiful, true Alaskan.
86526104guest said on Thursday, Apr 5 at 11:00 AM
Most of us really did think she'd be found alive. What a blow.
86537316melinda said on Thursday, Apr 5 at 1:00 PM
The guy that is in custody I believe is the one who kidnapped and killed her. I hope that if the feds are part of this investigation that they help prosecute him to the full extention of the law. I hope that he does not just get a slap on the wrist. We may not have the death penalty but with this case and the case of Bonnie Craig it should constitute the death penalty since both women were kinapped and killed within hours of being kidnapped. and the men who did this tried to run and get away with it.
86548135Anonymous said on Thursday, Apr 5 at 3:21 PM
men think they can rape and kill and get away with it just ask Todd Palin and the dead girl on KGB
86557646Anonymous said on Thursday, Apr 5 at 4:14 PM
or ask Daniel Jackson about Melody Moses and why she died...for what he was doing to children...she was going to tell...and died for it...ask Todd Palin about that...Sarah's auntie lives in the area Melody died...
86561026Adelle said on Thursday, Apr 5 at 4:51 PM
Our condolences to the Koenig family, I don't know this lady but my heart goes out to her and her family. Samantha and her family will remain in our prayers.
86563504Alaska Grandma said on Friday, Apr 6 at 8:17 AM
I know the Koenig Family - I cannot imagine the pain her Grandpa feels right now. This whole thing is a shame. Alaska DID have a death penalty in the past and the tree huggers got it repealed. I could not agree more - let the feds have this scum and do with him what they may. Look at us still supporting Hansen in Lemon Creek ---
86610793sonofliberty said on Sunday, Apr 8 at 5:20 PM
One thing is for sure if this SOB is put to death which he richly deserves he will never ever commit crime again. The death penalty does not deter predators, never did, never will. But it removes any chance of them getting paroled, or escaping from prison.
86787614Joe said on Thursday, Apr 12 at 7:44 PM
My sincerest Condolences to the Koenig Family. Her loss is a tragedy for all of us here.
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