Sat. 3:50 pm – Melanie Gould’s abandoned truck has been found on the Denali Highway, according to State Trooper spokesman Beth Ipsen. She wasn’t able to confirm the mile marker and said that Cantwell Troopers and others are searching the truck and area. The investigation is now being run out of the Fairbanks Post due to the location. Residents are asked to give troopers a wide berth for the investigation and stay away from that area for now.
The last confirmed sighting of Melanie was on Wednesday. See the stories below for further information and photo.
Check back to this site, there may be more information tonight or tomorrow.
Update from early Sat a.m. – The search is continuing for former Iditarod musher Melanie Gould.
Talkeetna resident Gould was last seen by friends on Monday evening. An intensely private person as well as competent backcountry traveler, she has been known to take off by herself, but always made arrangements for her dogs and her job. This time is different. Her 1989 Toyota silver blue truck is gone. She left behind her cellphone, her laundry not put away, her dogs unfed and her favorite pet sled dog, Jane.
Troopers are on the look out for Gould, and say their last confirmed sighting was Wednesday.
34 year old Gould is single. Troopers say they have no reason to believe Gould is in danger or in trouble, but her information is posted, including state borders.
Locally, the search has become widened and includes dog mushers statewide as well as both fixed wing and helicopter pilots that are using their free time to search for the truck. . Local Trooper Sargent Troy Shuey supported people in their desire to search further locally as well as spreading posters statewide and throughout Canada. Friends are searching the Richardson Highway, Denali Highway, Fairbanks roads, the Chena area and are spreading the information to Manley Hot Springs as well as to friends in Canada, Skagway and Haines. Friends searched the Denali Highway for clues on Friday during the day.
Gould is a 7 time Iditarod competitor. She became known as one of the mushers to watch after her top 20 win in 2006. The last time she entered the race was 2008, but she kept her dogs and has been a recreational musher since that time. She is also a massage therapist in town.
Troopers are continuing their search and want to ensure that Gould is safe and out of any danger.
