Search and rescue officials examine the area about 11 miles south of the center of Wrangell where a landslide occurred on Nov. 20. Five people are confirmed dead from the landslide and one still missing. (Photo courtesy of Alaska Department of Public Safety)

Search and rescue officials examine the area about 11 miles south of the center of Wrangell where a landslide occurred on Nov. 20. Five people are confirmed dead from the landslide and one still missing. (Photo courtesy of Alaska Department of Public Safety)

Body of fifth Wrangell landslide victim found; one person still missing

Otto Florschutz, 65, found Thursday evening; Derek Heller, 12, still missing among family of five.

The body of a fifth victim from a Nov. 20 landslide in Wrangell was found Thursday afternoon, with one more person still missing, the Alaska Department of Public Safety announced Friday morning.

Otto Florschutz, 65, was found at about 4:25 p.m. Thursday in the debris from the landslide that occurred about 11 miles south of the center of Wrangell. His wife, Christina Florschutz, survived after being caught in the landslide that destroyed three homes and cut dozens of others off from road access to town.

[Elementary school aide who survived Wrangell landslide calls circumstances a miracle]

The other five victims were family members. Timothy Heller, 44, Beth Heller, 36, and Mara Heller, 16, were found during searches the night of the landslide and the morning afterward. Kara Heller, 11, was located last Saturday. Still missing is Derek Heller, 12.

“Search and Rescue volunteers and a scent detection K9 team continue with reactive searching as any new information or evidence leads to a specific search area,” the Department of Public Safety statement notes.

Power was restored earlier this week to homes cut off by the landslide and residents are now able to drive through the slide zone during scheduled 30-minute windows, according to public safety officials.

• Contact Mark Sabbatini at mark.sabbatini@juneauempire.com or (907) 957-2306.

Previous
Ron’s Apothecary Shoppe closing after nearly 50 years as co-owners retire; last day is Dec. 6
Next
State reviewing Riverview Senior Living after missing resident found in attic 40 hours later

More in News

The Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Encore docks in Juneau in October of 2022. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
Ships in port for t​​he Week of April 27

Here’s what to expect this week.

Deputy Attorney General Cori Mills explains the administration’s understanding of a ruling that struck down key components of the state’s correspondence school program, in the Alaska State Capitol on Wednesday. (Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)
Gov. Dunleavy says homeschool changes must wait until appeal ruling as lawmakers eye fixes

“Something of this magnitude warrants a special session,” Dunleavy says.

From left to right, Sens. Loki Tobin, D-Anchorage; Bert Stedman, R-Sitka; and David Wilson, R-Wasilla, discuss a proposed budget amendment on Wednesday. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Alaska Senate passes draft budget, confirming $175 million in bonus public-school funding

Gov. Mike Dunleavy told reporters that he’s ‘open to the increase’ proposed by lawmakers.

About 20 youths dance in Ravenstail robes during a ceremony at Centennial Hall on Tuesday evening featuring the history of the ceremonial regalia. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Weavers, dancers and teachers celebrate revival of a traditional crafting of robes from the fringes

“You have just witnessed the largest gathering of Ravenstail regalia in history.”

Charles VanKirk expresses his opposition to a proposed increase in the mill rate during a Juneau Assembly meeting on Monday night. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Mill rate, land-use code rewrite, elevator at indoor field house among few public comments on proposed CBJ budget

Assembly begins in-depth amendment process Wednesday to draft plan for fiscal year starting July 1.

X’unei Lance Twitchell teaches an advanced Tlingít course at University of Alaska Southeast on Monday. (Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)
Alaska Native languages at crucial juncture, biennial report says

Call to action urges systemic reforms to the state’s support and integration of Native languages.

Reps. Jesse Sumner, R-Wasilla, and Jamie Allard, R-Eagle River, talk to Speaker of the House Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla, during a break in the Alaska House of Representatives floor session on Monday. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Entering their final two regular weeks, Alaska legislators are narrowing their focus

Dozens of firefighters protested outside the Alaska Capitol last week, waving signs… Continue reading

Juneau residents calling for a ceasefire in Gaza put on t-shirts with slogans declaring their cause before testifying on a resolution calling for “a bilateral peace agreement in Israel and Palestine” considered by the Juneau Assembly on Monday night. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Juneau Assembly fails by 2-5 vote to pass resolution seeking ‘bilateral peace’ between Israel and Palestine

Members question if declaration is appropriate at local level, angering residents favoring ceasefire

Nils Andreassen and his sons Amos, 7, and Axel, 11, pick up trash in the Lemon Creek area during the annual Litter Free community cleanup on Saturday morning. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Annual community cleanup is its own reward — and then some

Nearly 800 people pick up tons of trash, recyclables and perhaps treasures

Most Read