Share this @internewscast.com

Authorities recovered the body of a 65-year-old man from the debris of a landslide that swept through part of southeast Alaska last month.

The body of Otto Florschutz was found just before 4:30 p.m. Thursday, the Alaska Department of Public Safety said in a news release Friday. He is the fifth confirmed death of the Nov. 20 landslide.

One person, 12-year-old Derek Heller, remains missing, authorities said.

Wrangell Search and Rescue K9, Wrangell Search and Rescue volunteers, and an excavator assisted in the recovery of Florschutz’s body.

Search and rescue volunteers and a scent detection K9 team are continuing with “reactive searching as any new information or evidence leads to a specific search area,” the public safety department said.

Florschutz, a commercial fisherman, previously served on Wrangell’s Port Commission and was a candidate in the race to fill the congressional seat vacated by longtime U.S. Rep. Don Young’s death last year. He received 193 votes out of nearly 162,000 cast, The Associated Press reported.

Three homes were hit by a landslide that struck just before 9 p.m. near the community of Wrangell.

Authorities identified the four other confirmed victims as family members Timothy Heller, 44; Beth Heller, 36; and their children Mara, 16; and Kara, 11. Their son, Derek, remains missing.

Florschutz was their neighbor, according to authorities. His wife, Christina Florschutz, survived the landslide.

Both families were at their homes when the landslide hit. The third home was unoccupied.

Christina Florschutz said she was getting dressed when she heard “a horrible noise.” She told the Wrangell Sentinel and KSTV radio that the landslide slammed into the home and tossed her around “like a piece of weightless popcorn” before she lost consciousness.

When she woke up, she said she was trapped between the roof of her house and debris.

She told the newspaper and radio station that she managed to free herself and walked across the debris until a group of people found her, put her in a sled and dragged her to safety.

She has been recovering in the hospital.

The landslide, estimated to be 450 feet wide, occurred following heavy rain and winds in the area. It cut off about 54 homes from town. Around 35 to 45 people have chosen to stay in the area, said Mason Villarma, interim borough manager.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Photo of a young man with curly hair.

Family’s Heartfelt Tribute to Teen Lost in Crash: ‘He Brought Love to Everything,’ as 36-Year-Old Driver Sentenced

A GRIEVING family have paid a heartbreaking tribute to their “beautiful” son…
Department of Defense recruiting civilian volunteers for Trump admin's immigration crackdown operations

Defense Department Seeks Civilian Volunteers for Immigration Operations Under Trump Administration

The Department of Defense is providing its civilian employees with the chance…
Woman and young child posing with a basket of flowers.

Influencer Yarely Ashley Hermosillo, 27, Tragically Killed in Road Rage Incident While with Her Children

AN INFLUENCER has been shot dead in front of her young son…
Jossimar Cabrera dragging what is believed to be his wife in a tarp or sheet

California Woman Discovered Deceased in National Forest; Husband Spotted Hauling Large Tarp

A woman from California was discovered deceased in a national forest, just…

Twitch Star Jrokez, 26, Passes Away After 12th-Floor Fall Following Eerie Final Post About Feeling ‘Exhausted’

A TWITCH streaming star has died after plunging from a 12th floor…
Sounds Like They're Cracking: Texas Democrat Gene Wu's Latest Whine Is One for the Books

High-Stakes Drama as Texas House Decides on New Redistricting Maps

On Wednesday, the Texas House Democrats’ effort to stall the passage of…
Martha’s Vineyard residents forced to go vegan, become ‘social pariahs’ because of bloodsucking insect

Martha’s Vineyard Locals Pressured to Adopt Vegan Diets, Face Social Ostracism Due to Bloodsucking Insect Outbreak

Residents in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, are being compelled to adjust their diets…
Manatee County deputies revealing new details on Giovanni Pelletier's death

Manatee County Deputies Uncover New Information About Giovanni Pelletier’s Death

Pelletier, who was from North Carolina, was first reported missing on Aug.…
Jerusalem Tax Dispute Patriarchate and Property Exemptions

Tax Controversy in Jerusalem: Patriarchate’s Property Exemptions

On August 6, 2025, the Jerusalem municipality took the drastic step of…
Israeli soldiers observing destroyed buildings in the Gaza Strip.

Israeli Strategy to Capture Gaza City: Launch of ‘Operation Gideon’s Chariots II’ to Eliminate Hamas

ISRAEL has revealed its plans to conquer Gaza City in a final push…
Authors, parents and advocates push back against book bans after Florida Board of Education meeting

Authors, Parents, and Advocates Unite Against Book Bans Following Florida Board of Education Meeting

This summer, 600 book titles were removed from Florida school libraries, following…
Dave Koz and his band were in flight delay hell. So they picked up their instruments

Dave Koz and His Band Turn Flight Delays into an Impromptu Jam Session

Passengers on a flight from St. Louis to Seattle experienced an unexpected…