Arrest Made in Kodiak Coast Guard Murders

FBI says James Michael Wells acted alone

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By Lacie Grosvold

Story Created: Feb 16, 2013 at 8:59 AM AKDT

Story Updated: Feb 16, 2013 at 9:00 AM AKDT

ANCHORAGE - Federal authorities say they've got the man responsible for last April's double homicide on the Kodiak Coast Guard base.The bodies of James Hopkins and Richard Belisle were found early on April 12 of last year at the Kodiak Coast Guard Communications Station.

A photo from the U.S. Coast Guard shows the accused murderer and his victims working side by side: James Michael Wells, 61, with Hopkins and Belisle at the rigging shop working on the rigging that keeps antennae upright

The bodies of James Hopkins and Richard Belisle bodies were found early on April 12 of last year on the Kodiak Coast Guard Communications Station.

Hopkins was a 41-year-old Electrician's Mate First Class. Belisle was a 51-year-old civilian employee.

The incident put the community of Kodiak on alert. They knew whomever had killed the men was in their midst. The school was put on lockdown that day.

Volunteers helped search a road nearby for evidence, but until today, there's been little news of the investigation.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation said Wells acted alone. He will be transferred from Kodiak to Anchorage on Tuesday for an initial hearing, where the charges will be read against him.

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