Arson and Homicide; Royal Suite Lodge at 3811 Minnesota Drive

Update on 8/17/18:

Andrew Eknaty has been located and taken into custody without incident.

Update on 8/16/18:
On August 16, 2018, an Anchorage Grand Jury indicted 29-year-old Carleigh K. Fox and 30-year-old Andrew John Eknaty for their roles in the February 2017 arson at Royal Suites which claimed the lives of three people. Both are being charged for the following:

Andrew Eknaty: nine counts of Murder II, Arson I, six counts of Manslaughter, two counts of Assault of an Unborn Child, 16 counts of Assault I, Conspiracy to Commit Arson I, Evidence Tampering, and Failure to Report or Control a Dangerous Fire.
 
Carleigh Fox: nine counts of Murder II, Arson I, six counts of Manslaughter, two counts of Assault of an Unborn Child, 16 counts of Assault I, Conspiracy to Commit Arson I, Evidence Tampering, Failure to Report or Control a Dangerous Fire, and Eluding.

Fox was apprehended and taken into custody early this morning. Andrew Eknaty is currently at large.

Anyone with information regarding Eknaty's whereabouts is asked to call Police Dispatch at 3-1-1 (option #1). If you see him, call 9-1-1. To remain anonymous you may call Crime Stoppers at 561-STOP or online at www.anchoragecrimestoppers.com
 
This was a joint investigation involving the Anchorage Police Department, Anchorage Fire Department, Alaska Fire Marshalls, Alaska State Troopers, Alaska State Crime Lab, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Anchorage Office as well as ATF’s National Response Team.

Update on 3/2/17:

Due to the multiple calls police received from the public, detectives were able to locate and contact Andrew Eknaty.  The Police Department is grateful to everyone who gave information.

PREVIOUS RELEASE - The Royal Suites fire that occurred on February 15, 2017, at 3811 Minnesota Drive is being investigated as an arson and homicide.  Police believe 28-year-old Andrew John Eknaty has information regarding this crime and would like to speak to him.  Anyone with information regarding Eknaty’s whereabouts is asked to call Police Dispatch at 786-8900 (press “0” to speak with an operator).  To remain anonymous you may call Crime Stoppers at 561-STOP or online at www.anchoragecrimestoppers.com.

63-year-old Vivian Hall, 38-year-old Teuaililo Nua, and 70-year-old Laura Kramer are the three victims who died as a result of the fire.  There have been no arrests.

Update on 2/17/17:

The second fire victim from 3811 Minnesota has been identified as Vivian Hall, age 63.  Anchorage Police have not been able to locate any next of kin for Hall and they are asking for the public’s help.  If anyone knows or has contact with the family of Vivian Hall, it is requested they contact the Anchorage Police Department at 907-786-8900 or the State Medical Examiner’s Office at 907-334-2200

Original on 2/15/17:

At 2:20 AM on Wednesday, February 15, 2017, AFD and APD responded to the Royal Suite Lodge at 3811 Minnesota Drive in reference to a large structure fire.  38-year-old Teuaililo G. Nua of Anchorage was found deceased at the scene and transported by the Medical Examiner’s Office to the M.E. who will conduct the autopsy to determine her exact cause of death. 

The Fire Department is still clearing the building therefore the exact number of deceased will not be known until that task is completed.  Some parts of the building are unstable making entry difficult. 

The Police Department is assisting the Fire Department with this investigation.  Multiple people were transported to the hospital before they were able to be questioned by authorities.  Police are asking those who have been released from treatment, but have not yet spoken to police, to please call APD as soon as they are able.  Anyone else with any information regarding the fire is also asked to call police at 786-8900 (press “0” to speak with an operator).

More information about the fire itself will be released by AFD.

APD Case 17-6684