Press Release

Anchorage Man Convicted of Murder in the Second Degree for Stabbing his Uncle to Death

December 3, 2015

Thirty-nine (39) year old Ralph Nayokpuk was convicted of Murder in the Second Degree by an Anchorage jury on December 3, 2015 for killing his fifty-one (51) year old uncle, Ronald Mullins on August 6, 2014. Mullins was living at the family home in Mountain View at the time of his death taking care of his seventy-nine (79) year old mother when he was stabbed to death by his nephew, Nayokpuk.

Nayokpuk attacked Mullins with a butcher knife after he heard Mullins ask if he should call the police to report Nayokpuk was acting out inside the home. Mullins suffered 11 stab wounds in his torso and back, as well as two other knife injuries before fleeing out of the residence. Mullins collapsed on the front lawn of his home where neighbors conducted CPR in an effort to save his life. Mullins died a short time later from puncture wounds to both lungs. Mullins lived the majority of his life in Anchorage and leaves behind a large extended family, many of whom attended the trial.

Sentencing is expected to be before Superior Court Judge Jack Smith on April 15, 2016. Ralph Nayokpuk faces a sentencing range of 10-99 years on the Murder 2 conviction and will remain in the custody of the Department of Corrections while awaiting sentencing.

CONTACT: District Attorney Clint Campion @ (907) 269-6324 or clinton.campion@alaska.gov at the Anchorage District Attorney’s Office.

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Department Media Contacts: Communications Director Patty Sullivan at patty.sullivan@alaska.gov or (907) 269-6368. Information Officer Sam Curtis at sam.curtis@alaska.gov or (907) 269-6269.