On a summer day in Alaska, the life of 19-year-old Jaxon Williams of Wasilla was tragically cut short. On June 24, 2026, his body was discovered on a trail in the scenic Hatcher Pass area, a popular recreational spot near Palmer. Alaska State Troopers and State Park Rangers responded to the scene around 11:40 a.m. after receiving a report of a deceased male.
The initial discovery sent a shockwave through the quiet community, leaving friends and family to grapple with the sudden and violent loss of a young man just on the cusp of his adult life.
The immediate investigation into Williams's death was taken over by the Alaska Bureau of Investigation. An autopsy was ordered, and the State Medical Examiner's Office soon determined the grim reality of the situation: Jaxon Williams had been fatally shot in the head. This finding transformed the case into a homicide investigation, prompting detectives to work swiftly to piece together the events that led to this tragic outcome. The news of a homicide in such a serene and well-loved natural area added another layer of distress for local residents, who were unaccustomed to such violence in their picturesque surroundings.
Within a day of the discovery, the investigation made significant headway. On June 25, 2026, authorities arrested 18-year-old Gary Reddig, a resident of Wasilla. Following his arrest, Reddig was taken to the Mat-Su Pretrial facility. He is facing serious charges of Murder in the Second Degree and Tampering with Physical Evidence, indicating that investigators believe he not only took Williams's life but also attempted to conceal his involvement. While an arrest has been made, the case is still in its early stages. The charges against Gary Reddig are, at this point, accusations, and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty. The community now awaits the progression of the legal process to bring clarity and hopefully, justice for Jaxon Williams and his grieving family.
