Peter Alexie Murder-Suicide; 6-year-old son found dead in Fairbanks, Alaska apartment; Mother, Heather Alexie arrested
A routine welfare check turned into a harrowing tragedy when a woman discovered the lifeless body of a young boy in a Fairbanks, Alaska, apartment—his mother and younger sister nowhere to be found.
The heartbreaking scene unfolded on Friday, February 7, leaving authorities and the community reeling from what police described as a “devastating” and “unimaginable” loss.
The Fairbanks Police Department (FPD) responded to the apartment of 36-year-old Heather Alexie after receiving a call about a suspicious death.
The caller, a woman who had not heard from Heather, a client of hers, “for quite some time,” went to check on Heather and her two children. Upon entering the apartment, she made a grim discovery: the body of Heather’s 6-year-old son, Peter Alexie.
Investigators quickly determined that Peter had been the victim of a homicide. Meanwhile, Heather and her 5-year-old daughter, Renee Alexie, were missing and could not be located in the Fairbanks area. The FPD issued a “Missing Persons/Suspicious Circumstances” alert, urging the public to help locate the pair.
Thanks to tips from the community and the tracking of Heather’s phone, authorities pinpointed her location near Anchorage. With the assistance of the Anchorage Police Department (APD), Heather and Renee were found by Saturday evening. Both were unharmed, but the investigation took a dark turn when Heather became a suspect in her son’s death.
During an interview with APD homicide detectives, Heather admitted to inflicting injuries that led to Peter’s death before traveling to Anchorage with her daughter days later. She was arrested by the APD for second-degree murder, and Renee was taken into state custody. Police confirmed that the 5-year-old girl is safe.
FPD Chief Ron Dupee expressed the profound impact of the case in a press release, calling it “incredibly tragic and heartbreaking.” He emphasized the emotional toll on officers, detectives, and the community, stating, “The death of a child is always devastating, and our hearts go out to Peter’s loved ones and everyone affected by this unimaginable loss. We want to assure the public that we are committed to seeking justice for Peter.”
The FPD acknowledged the community’s desire for answers but explained that details could not be immediately released due to the complexity of the investigation. “We appreciate the public’s patience and understanding as we work through these complex situations,” police said.
As the Fairbanks community grapples with the shock and grief of Peter’s death, the case serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the profound impact of such tragedies on families and communities.
