Arlington woman confirmed dead after missing from cruise ship

ANCHORAGE — Alaska authorities confirmed Tuesday that a body found in the icy waters just off Douglas Island was that of Amber Malkuch, 45, of Arlington.

Malkuch was traveling on a seven-day Alaska cruise on the Holland America ship Zaandam, which left Seattle on Friday.

She had been reported missing Monday and her body was found that afternoon.

"Based on evidence and information to date, it does not appear to be foul play," Holland America spokeswoman Sally Andrews said from Seattle.

Alaska State Troopers spokeswoman Megan Peters said troopers were not yet willing to conclusively point to a cause of death. An autopsy will be conducted in Anchorage, authorities said.

"We still have to do our investigation, and we're not going to make any guesses at this time," Peters said.

Officers interviewed passengers and reviewed footage from the Zaandam's security cameras after the ship docked in Sitka, Alaska, Peters said.

The Coast Guard confirmed the identity with an ID found on the body, said Petty Officer Jon-Paul Rios.

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

She was last seen about 12:30 a.m. after she ordered room service, when the vessel was near Douglas Island. Malkuch's body was found after a search stretching over 80 miles.

The crew of a commercial helicopter operated by Ketchikan-based TEMSCO Helicopters that was helping in the search found the body about 12 miles northwest of where Malkuch was last seen, Chief Petty Officer Dana Warr said.

The 780-foot-long Zaandam can carry about 1,430 passengers and 600 crew members.