Body Found In Alaska Waters May Be Woman Missing From Cruise

Alaska state troopers have identified a woman believed to have fallen overboard from a cruise ship into frigid Alaska waters as 45-year-old Amber Malkuch of Washington state.

A woman's body was found Monday afternoon after a massive search. WSP spokesman Beth Ipsen said the body hasn't been positively identified as Malkuch.

In the meantime, Coast Guard Lt. Nathaniel Johnson in Juneau said Monday night his agency has suspended its search.

Ipsen said she didn't have a hometown for the missing woman.

Malkuch was reported missing by a traveling companion Monday morning when the Holland America ship Zaandam was in Glacier Bay National Park, about 75 miles northwest of Juneau.

She was last seen hours earlier after she ordered room service.

The ship left Juneau at 10:30 p.m. Sunday en route to Glacier Bay.

The cruise line said the woman was reported missing by her stateroom partner at 9 a.m. Monday.

Coast Guard officials said the woman is believed to have gone overboard somewhere in the nearly 100-mile swath between Douglas Island and Glacier Bay National Park. Coast Guard aircraft and cutters searched Stephens Passage, Lynn Canal and Icy Strait.

Late Monday afternoon, a body was located on the west side of Douglas Island. A Coast Guard helicopter transported the body to Juneau before it was taken to the local coroner's office for identification.

The ship, which left Seattle last Friday, is scheduled to be back in Seattle this Friday.

The 1,400-passenger ship comes to Seattle each week, then travels the inside passage showing tourists glaciers and mountains during the seven-day cruise to Glacier Bay National Park.