Anchorage police arrest woman on evidence tampering charge in Kaitlyn Kaganak death investigation

Anchorage police have arrested a woman on charges of tampering with evidence and misconduct involving a corpse in the case of Kaitlyn Kaganak, 28, who was found dead at the Basher Trailhead in December.

Police identified the woman as Melody Ramos-Sneeden, 44, and said she was arrested Sept. 24, according to an update to the department's death investigation release. Police have not said what she is accused of doing. Charges are accusations, and she is presumed innocent.

Tampering with physical evidence covers destroying, altering, hiding or removing evidence to hinder an investigation. It is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison. Misconduct involving a corpse covers moving, hiding or damaging a body. It is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail. A criminal complaint was filed Sept. 22, and court records list Dec. 2, 2025, as the date of both alleged offenses.

Kaganak was reported missing to Anchorage police on Dec. 9. Ten days later, officers responding to a report of a body at the Basher Trailhead found and identified her. Police said detectives worked the case daily and searched repeatedly with help from K9 units and search and rescue teams. Police have not released a cause of death.

Investigators believe some people with information about Kaganak's disappearance and death "have not yet come forward," the department said. Anyone with information can call Anchorage Police Dispatch at 311, option 1, or 907-786-8900, then press 0, or contact Anchorage Crime Stoppers anonymously.