Alaska closes case involving ex-BYU coach

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — The state of Alaska has closed the case of a former volunteer BYU track coach and convicted sex offender who fled before sentencing.

Southeast Alaska lodge owner Larry W. Berryhill, 64, was found dead Aug. 24 in Tunuyan, Argentina.

Berryhill was convicted Feb. 27 in Juneau of two counts of sexual abuse of a minor. Prosecutors say he abused two underage male employees at his fishing lodge in Gustavus.

He could have been sentenced to serve five to 15 years in prison on each count but he did not appear for his sentencing hearing May 4.

Berryhill served as a volunteer pole-vault coach at BYU in Provo but was not an employee, university spokesman Todd Hollingshead said.