Update on 07/29/22:

From the Office of the Attorney General:

July 29, 2022 (Anchorage, AK) – Thursday, an Anchorage grand jury indicted 24-year-old Brianna Star Wassillie for the murders of Gregory Pitka and Travis Sheldon on July 3, 2022, near Sand Lake. Wassillie was indicted on two counts of first-degree murder and four counts of second-degree murder.

 If convicted at trial, the defendant faces sentences of up to 99 years of imprisonment for each of the murder charges.

 These charges are only allegations and are not evidence of guilt. Defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial. For convictions, prosecutors must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

 The defendant is currently in the custody of the Department of Corrections. She is scheduled to be arraigned before the Superior Court in Anchorage on August 1, 2022.

Update on 7/18/22:

Through the investigation, homicide detectives have determined that 24-year-old Brianna S. Wassillie is responsible for the homicide of Travis Sheldon on July 3, 2022, at W 88th Avenue and Molanary Drive, and for the homicide of Gregory Pitka that occurred two days later on the 3800-block of W Dimond Boulevard.

On July 17, 2022, Wassillie was remanded at Hiland Correction for two counts of Murder I and one count of Misconduct Involving a Corpse.

Update—07/08/22—2:30PM

The victim has been identified as 34-year-old Gregory Pitka.

Update—07/06/22—3:50PM

This death is now being investigated as a homicide.

Through the investigation, detectives determined a person of interest and that person has been located and is being questioned by APD. There have been no arrests at this time.

The victim’s name will be released once next-of-kin notification procedures have been completed.

Original—7/5/22—5:01PM

At 03:42 PM on July 05, 2022, Anchorage Police Dispatch received a call in regards to an adult male who was deceased outside a business on the 3800-block of W Dimond Blvd. Upon arrival, Officers with the Patrol Division made observations that have warranted a closer look at the circumstances surrounding the death.

The Crime Scene Team has responded to process the scene.

Ultimately the cause of death will be determined by the Medical Examiner.

There will be a continued police presence in the area as the investigation continues. Please follow officer’s instructions if you are in the area.

There are no road closures at this time.

APD Case 22-21790