Family of Five and Neighbor Identified as Victims of Deadly Alaska Landslide

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Family of Five and Neighbour Identified as Victims of Devastating Landslide in Southern Alaska

In a tragic turn of events just days before Thanksgiving, the victims of a massive landslide in southern Alaska have been identified as a family of five and their neighbour, a former commercial fisherman who had recently run for a seat in the U.S. House. The heartbreaking incident occurred near the island community of Wrangell, engulfing their homes and cutting off many residents from the town.

The family has been identified as Timothy Heller, 44, his wife Beth Heller, and their three children Mara, 16, Derek, 12, and Kara, 11. They were all at home when the landslide struck, triggered by the churning force of the earth from near the mountaintop down to the ocean. The destructive force of the landslide resulted in uprooted trees and the burial of a major highway, leaving numerous residents isolated.

The bodies of Timothy and Beth Heller, as well as the remains of their eldest daughter, have been located by search and rescue crews. The Alaska Department of Public Safety had initially reported the discovery of a young girl, later identified as Mara Heller, during the initial search and rescue efforts on Monday. The bodies of her parents were subsequently found the following day, thanks to the efforts of a drone operator.

The Hellers were known in the community for running a construction company called Heller High Water. Both Timothy and Beth had grown up in Wrangell and tied the knot in 2010, as reported by the local outlet, the Juneau Empire. Beth’s lifelong best friend, Tyla Nelson, described her as a “fantastic human” and a “wonderful mother” who dedicated herself to her children.

While Timothy and Beth Heller, as well as their eldest daughter, have been accounted for, search teams are still working diligently to locate their two younger children and their neighbour, Otto Florschutz. A Republican and former member of Wrangell’s Port Commission, Florschutz had previously sought to fill the congressional seat left vacant after the passing of U.S. Representative Don Young. Although Florschutz’s wife survived the landslide, the path of destruction carved out by the landslide, spanning approximately 450 feet wide, resulted in the loss of three homes and left another 54 residences almost entirely isolated.

As the community grapples with the aftermath of the devastating landslide, access to the area has become limited, with the ocean now serving as the only point of entry. Interim borough manager Mason Villarma stated that boats are being utilized to deliver essential supplies such as food, fuel, water, and prescription medications to the affected residents.

The entire community mourns the loss of the Heller family and their neighbour, Otto Florschutz, as they come to terms with the profound impact of this natural disaster. The search and rescue efforts continue, offering hope that the remaining missing individuals will be found, while the tight-knit community of Wrangell rallies together to provide support and assistance to those affected by this tragic event.

With News Wire Services.