Wassilie is a Yup’ik name, (perhaps derived from the Russian, “Wassily,” given early contacts between the two groups). Many in the family hail from the southwestern reaches of Alaska, near Bethel. Counted among them are Moses Wassilie, noted artist and sometime-actor.
Bethel, Alaska
The Wassilie Wassilie we speak of here is not famous — or infamous, for that matter. Her story is much simpler. She was out on the town one night with friends, minding her own business, when someone went missing.
Frieda Shannigan, meanwhile, looms as the linchpin in Greg’s mad quest to find a babysitter. Without Frieda, it seems, there was no reason for Greg to contact Beth.
INTERVIEW: Wassilie Wassilie, Tuesday, December 4, 1972 (Investigator Zaruba)
“On December 22, 1971, I was at the Montana Tavern (sic) with Elsie Young and four other people. I know it was the 22nd because I remember getting mad at Elsie because she was ignoring me. On the 23rd I was home ill and on the 24th at about 10:00 am I took my cousin to the airport.
“I picked up Elsie Young at her house between 7:00 – 7:30 pm. We drove around for about 45 minutes. Then we went to the Montana Tavern about 8:15 pm. Elsie said she had to be home before 9:00 pm.
“Elsie and I entered the bar. We met this fellow and girl that Elsie knew from Kenai. We sat down and had a couple of beers. Then these two guys came in and sat down with us and began talking. They started talking about something. This went on for about 5 minutes.
“Then I said to Elsie I was going to leave. She finished her drink and we left. I got mad at her and she went back inside. I then got in my car and went back to my apartment… It is possible I picked up Elsie Young at 8:00 pm. We definitely drove around for about 45 minutes.
Zaruba: How long were you in the Montana Tavern?
Wassilie: We were in the Montana Tavern long enough for me to finish one beer and I drank about 3/4 of my second. This took about 20 minutes before the two guys ID’d in the photos came in. This could have been 5 or 10 minutes after 9:00 pm.
INTERVIEW: Frieda Shannigan, Tuesday, December 4, 1972 (Investigator Zaruba)
“I think it was Greg that told me he was living with a relative who would babysit if I wanted her to, but I said, ‘No.’ They tried to persuade me to go out, but I still said I didn’t want to go out. At no time did Ron or Greg say they were going to call up a babysitter.”
Purchase Butcher, Baker