Remains identified as missing Ketchikan homeowner

Published 1:00 pm Friday, November 21, 2014

KETCHIKAN, Alaska — Alaska State Troopers say human remains found in a home near Ketchikan have been identified as the missing homeowner.

The Ketchikan Daily News reports that the remains are identified as those of 49-year-old homeowner Ralph Smith.

Troopers responded to reports of a man firing a weapon Nov. 12 near Ward Cove, just northeast of Ketchikan.

Troopers say Smith left the home, told a family member it was on fire and then drove off. He parked his pickup and fired off a couple of shots.

Authorities don’t believe Smith was aiming anyone. Smith then disappeared, and authorities believe he went back into the burning home.

Trooper spokeswoman Megan Peters says the fire appears to have been intentionally set.

The fire is under investigation.