Western Alaska man charged with murder of his girlfriend

Updated: 2 hours ago Published: 2 hours ago

A St. Michael man was charged on Sunday with the premeditated murder of his girlfriend.

The family of 43-year-old Michaeline Snowball called for help Saturday when they found her unconscious, according to an affidavit filed by investigator Elizabeth Jordan. Snowball was treated for injuries at a hospital Friday night and told doctors she had been beaten but did not say who had injured her, the affidavit said. She was released from the hospital in the early hours of Saturday and went to a family member's home, the affidavit said.

After she was found unconscious, paramedics arrived at the home and Snowball was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead later Saturday, the affidavit said.

Officers were shown messages between Snowball and her boyfriend, 47-year-old Leroy Kobuk Sr., in which Kobuk threatened to hurt and kill Snowball if she did not pay him money, the affidavit states. Kobuk denied hitting her when questioned by investigators, but said he sent the messages and kicked her out of his house on Friday night, the affidavit states.

He was arrested on Sunday and remained in custody at the Anvil Mountain Correctional Center in Nome until Tuesday.

St. Michael is located about 125 air miles southeast of Nome on the other side of Norton Sound.