6 females were murdered by males in Alaska in 1997
The homicide rate among females murdered by males in Alaska was 2.07 per 100,000 in 1997
Ranked 10th highest in the United States
Age
There were no female homicide victims less than 18 years old, and 1 victim (17 percent) was 65 years of age or older.
Race and Ethnicity
Of the 6 female murder victims, 3 were white, 1 was Asian or Pacific Islander, 1 was black, and 1 was American Indian or Alaskan native. Under ethnic classification, none of the women were categorized as being of Hispanic origin.
Most Common Weapons
Weapons were identified for all 6 cases. Three of the 6 female homicide victims were shot and killed with guns. Two of these gun victims were shot and killed with handguns. There was 1 female killed with a knife or other cutting instrument and 1 female killed by bodily force. The remaining case involved a non-firearm weapon.
Victim/Offender Relationship
The relationship was identified for all 6 cases. All 6 victims were murdered by someone they knew. None of the victims were killed by a stranger. Of the victims, 50 percent (3 victims) were wives, common-law wives, ex-wives, or girlfriends of the offenders. Among these 3 female intimates murdered, all were killed with guns; 2 of the 3 were shot and killed with handguns.
Circumstance
In cases in which the circumstance of the homicide could be identified (5 cases), 4 were not related to the commission of any other felony. Of these cases, 2 involved an argument between the victim and offender.
