The Coast Guard says it has called off its search for a missing helicopter in waters off Alaska piloted by a health chief accused of sexual misconduct.
Andy Teuber, 52, was reported overdue by his family after he failed to arrive in Kodiak, Alaska, after taking off two hours earlier in Anchorage.
“After an extensive search with our available assets resulting in inconclusive findings, it’s with a heavy heart that we have to suspend this search pending any new information,” said Commander Matthew Hobbie, the Coast Guard search and rescue coordinator.
“I offer my deepest condolences to those affected by this incident.”
Mr Teuber resigned last week as the chairman and president of the state’s largest tribal health care organisation.
His former assistant at the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, Savanah Evans, had accused him of “unrelenting” abuse and coerced sex, which he had strongly denied.
Authorities say that searchers discovered a yellow helicopter float among debris in water that matches the equipment on the Robinson R66 Turbine Marine Helicopter Mr Teuber was piloting.
Mr Teuber’s family provided officials with his last known GPS location in the northern Gulf of Alaska between the Kenai Peninsula and Kodiak Island.
The Coast Guard launched a C-130 fixed-wing airplane and MH-60 helicopter and discovered the debris southeast of Ushagat Island.
The float recovered from the water is normally deployed in case of emergencies over water.
Ms Evans released a statement on Wednesday through her lawyer, Jana Weltzin.
“This is a difficult time for my client. It is also a difficult time for Mr Teuber’s family,” said Ms Weltzin.
“Ms Evans offers her condolences and prayers for everyone impacted by this tragedy, especially to Mr Teuber’s children.
“She does stand ready to participate in the ANTHC internal investigation to ensure the cycle of abusive and enabling behaviour truly ends.”
Mr Teuber, who is originally from Kodiak and lives in the Anchorage area, also listed his home on Tuesday, his real estate agent Joe Bell confirmed.
He had led the consortium for over a decade and was paid more than $1 million per year.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
