Sarah Klingener, a 47-year-old White/Caucasian woman from Wasilla, Alaska, was found dead on February 18, 2019. She had traveled to Alaska with her daughter to settle her father's estate, and it was her daughter who discovered her body that Monday. News of her death quickly reached authorities and the community, where she was remembered as Sarah Catherine Miller-Klingener.
Alaska State Troopers responded that night to a residence near Bogard Road in Wasilla and located two people dead on the property: 47-year-old Sarah Klingener and 57-year-old Shawn McVey, both of Wasilla. Initial announcements confirmed the deaths but did not immediately release a cause, pending investigation and notification of next of kin.
Within a week, investigators determined that the case was a murder-suicide. Troopers concluded that Sarah Klingener died by homicide and that Shawn McVey died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Officials stated that no other individuals were involved. Public listings documenting gun-related fatalities also recorded her death on that date and location.
With the suspect deceased, there were no arrests. Authorities identified McVey as the person who fatally shot Sarah before taking his own life, closing the door on the possibility of charges but fixing the account of what happened inside that Wasilla home. Obituary notices from the time reflected the abrupt loss and the circumstances under investigation by the Alaska State Troopers.
