Current:Home > Contact4th victim in Alaska landslide is 11-year-old girl; 2 people still missing, officials say -MoneySpot
4th victim in Alaska landslide is 11-year-old girl; 2 people still missing, officials say
EchoSense View
Date:2025-04-10 06:58:16
Authorities recovered the body of 11-year-old Kara Heller Saturday night from debris left behind by a massive landslide in southeast Alaska that killed three other people and left two others missing, according to the Associated Press.
Heller is the fourth person confirmed killed by last Monday's landslide. The others were the girl's parents, Timothy Heller, 44, and Beth Heller, 36, and her sister Mara Heller, 16.
Rescue crews found Mara's body in the initial search, and the bodies of Timothy and Beth were found late Tuesday by a drone operator.
Search crews are looking for a third child still missing from the Heller family, Derek, 12, and neighbor Otto Florschutz, 65, the Alaska Department of Public Safety told the Associated Press.
Alaska State Troopers said in a statement last Tuesday that three homes were in the direct path of the disaster around 8:50 p.m. local time Monday near Wrangell, a fishing community with just over 2,000 residents about 155 miles southeast of Juneau.
Alaska landslide:Landslide leaves 3 dead and trail of damage in remote community of Wrangell, Alaska
Alaska landslide: search and rescue efforts
First responders were on the scenes searching for survivors, the troopers said. Authorities urged residents to contact local police if they know someone who is missing.
The landslide cut off access and power to about 75 homes, the state emergency management office said, and boats have been taking residents from the cut-off area to an unaffected part of town.
Photos posted on social media showed barren earth near the top of the mountain all the way down to the Pacific Ocean and remnants of destroyed homes.
Aaron Jacobs, a hydrologist and meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Juneau, told the Associated Press Wrangell received nearly 2 inches of rain from 1 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday and wind gusts of up to 60 mph in higher elevations.
The storm was part of a system that moved through southeast Alaska and brought heavy snow to Haines and blizzard-like conditions to Juneau, Jacobs said. Areas farther south had minor flooding.
Landslides were reported near Ketchikan and on Prince of Wales Island. KTUU, a local TV station in Alaska, reported several landslides happening across the state that damaged homes, caused power outages and closed major highways.
Search suspended:5-year-old girl dies, search suspended for man swept out by California wave: Coast Guard
veryGood! (16675)
Related
- Grammy nominee Teddy Swims on love, growth and embracing change
- Beyoncé's uncle dies at 77, Tina Knowles pays tribute to her brother
- Experts say Boeing’s steps to improve safety culture have helped but don’t go far enough
- Political consultant behind fake Biden robocalls says he was trying to highlight a need for AI rules
- South Korea's acting president moves to reassure allies, calm markets after Yoon impeachment
- NFL scouting combine 2024: How to watch workouts for NFL draft prospects
- Bill supporting development of nuclear energy powers to pass in Kentucky Senate
- Montana Supreme Court rules in favor of major copper mine
- 2 killed, 3 injured in shooting at makeshift club in Houston
- Why so much of the US is unseasonably hot
Ranking
- Nevada attorney general revives 2020 fake electors case
- Chris Gauthier, character actor known for 'Once Upon a Time' and 'Watchmen,' dies at 48
- Jason Momoa's 584-HP electric Rolls-Royce Phantom II is all sorts of awesome
- Warren Buffett's annual investor letter is out. Here are the biggest takeaways.
- The 401(k) millionaires club keeps growing. We'll tell you how to join.
- Michigan man gets minimum 30 years in prison in starvation death of his disabled brother
- Handcuffed car theft suspect being sought after fleeing from officers, police say
- Mother of missing Wisconsin boy, man her son was staying with charged with child neglect
Recommendation
What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
Why Martha Stewart Says She Doesn't Wear Underwear
Horoscopes Today, February 24, 2024
Air Force member Aaron Bushnell dies after setting himself on fire near Israeli Embassy
Highlights from Trump’s interview with Time magazine
Walz signs his first bill of the 2-week-old legislative session, fixes error to save taxpayers $350M
'Bob Marley: One Love' tops box office again in slow week before 'Dune: Part Two' premiere
Air Force member Aaron Bushnell dies after setting himself on fire near Israeli Embassy