Troopers respond to death of Dr. Doug Chilcoat

On Thursday morning, Alaska State Troopers were called to investigate the death of 71-year old Douglas Chilcoat. The officer found that Chilcoat had a gunshot wound to his head. According to a trooper news release, it was determined that he shot himself while family members were outside the residence.

Dr Chilcoat was a practicing veterinarian in Talkeetna, and also served as a volunteer veterinarian in the Iditarod Trail sled dog race.  He was well known by dog and other pet owners in the Upper Susitna Valley.

–Trooper spokesperson Megan Peters says they are treating the case as a suicide investigation.  An autopsy will be performed and no information will be available until the state medical examiner is finished with the case.

**an addendum for all friends: Friends here have set up a  memorial account  for Marlene at the Talkeetna Mat-Su Valley Federal Credit Union for assistance.  Extended family has said “please, no flowers”