Kenai man charged with Nikiski murder: Body of victim discovered Sunday; few details released

According to Alaska State Troopers, a Kenai man has been charged with murder after a body was found in a vehicle in Nikiski this past weekend.

Franklin Bassette, 52, was booked at the Wildwood Pretrial Facility without bail on charges of murder and tampering with evidence.

Troopers were alerted to the body at just before 1 p.m. on Sunday at Mile 16.5 of the Kenai Spur Highway. The body was sent to the State Medical Examiner's office in Anchorage.

"The autopsy may be done today," said trooper spokeswoman Megan Peters on Tuesday, "so they should have a positive identification for the victim in the next few days."

Until then, Peters said investigators would not be releasing any further details of the case.

Joseph Robertia can be reached at joseph.robertia@peninsulaclarion.com.