Two 16-year-old sweethearts were discovered dead from gunshot wounds in wooded terrain near a Juneau middle school Monday afternoon, just hours after their families reported them missing in what relatives describe as a tragic double suicide.
Swift Timeline From Missing to Tragedy
Leotis Phillips was reported missing from his home at 5:52 a.m. Monday morning, followed by Zoey Clark’s disappearance reported at 8:49 a.m. The Juneau Police Department located both teenagers near Dzantik’i Heeni Middle School off Glacier Highway shortly before 2:30 p.m. that same day. Officers found a firearm at the scene and had warned earlier that the couple may have been armed, though authorities have not disclosed where the minors obtained the weapon.
Missing Alaska teens found dead in woods after vanishing from their homes https://t.co/m0lCEQmmDq pic.twitter.com/SAmCDX127W
— New York Post (@nypost) September 3, 2026
The bodies of both teens were transported to Anchorage for examination by the Alaska State Medical Examiner’s Office. Officials have not yet issued final determinations on the cause or manner of death, though family members and community members believe the deaths were self-inflicted. Phillips, described as an Alaskan native, and Clark had been in a relationship that friends and family characterized as devoted and loving.
Community Mourns Young Lives Lost
A candlelight vigil drew mourners to the middle school campus where the tragedy unfolded. Family members shared memories of the young couple and expressed grief over losing them. Clark’s cousin Ariah spoke at the gathering, saying the happiest she ever saw Phillips was when he was with Clark. She described both teenagers as hurting but believed their final moments together brought them peace despite their pain.
Clark’s father Zac wept openly at the vigil, telling other parents to love their children harder and stronger. He expressed frustration about unanswered questions surrounding what happened in the woods, hoping forensic investigation would provide clarity. A GoFundMe established for Clark described her as smart, loving and kind-hearted despite a difficult upbringing. The fundraiser noted her passion for art and drawing, calling her a beautiful artist whose life touched many people around her.
Families Search for Answers
Phillips’ grandmother Bobbiebo Johnson posted her heartbreak on Facebook, writing she never imagined having to compose an obituary for her oldest grandson. She expressed the unnatural order of burying a grandchild rather than having younger generations remember her. The tight-knit Alaska community continues grappling with the loss of two young lives, while investigators work to piece together the exact circumstances that led to the teenagers’ deaths in the wooded area near their school.