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
Young kangaroo hops around Florida town after brazen escape, owner charged

Kangaroo Makes Daring Escape and Hops Through Florida Town; Owner Faces Charges

An unruly kangaroo that managed to escape from its private enclosure in…
Police officers outside a house.

Shocking Discovery: Sisters Rescued After Being Chained and Abused by Their Father in Brazil

TWO sisters were found chained to their beds where their dad allegedly…
Jeffrey Rupnow, father of 15-year-old Natalie Rupnow, who killed 2 at Madison, Wisconsin religious school, faces felony charges

Jeffrey Rupnow, father of 15-year-old Natalie Rupnow who committed a double homicide at a Wisconsin religious school, charged with felonies

Wisconsin prosecutors have charged a Madison father, Jeffrey Rupnow, with enabling his…
Satellite image of a suspected Iranian nuclear facility.

New Satellite Images Reveal Iran’s Hidden ‘Rainbow’ Facility: Developing Missiles Capable of Reaching US Bases Over 2,000 Miles Away

CHILLING satellite pictures reveal Iran’s sprawling secret nuclear site codenamed “Rainbow”. Sources…
Has there ever been a pope from the United States?

Has a Pope Ever Been Appointed from the United States?

Although any baptized Catholic man is technically eligible to be the pope,…
World leaders congratulate Pope Leo XIV, first American pontiff

Global Leaders Applaud Pope Leo XIV, the First American Pope

The Vatican on Thursday announced that Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Prevost,…
Student faces deportation after traffic stop | Reporter Replay (Video)

Student May Be Deported Following Traffic Stop | Watch the Incident Recap

Student Confronts Deportation Risk Following Traffic Violation | Reporter Replay (Video) |…
Mostly women arrested in Columbia University library takeover: NYPD

Majority of Arrestees Were Women in Columbia University Library Protest: Police Report

The New York Police Department took 61 women into custody following an…
Nathaniel 'Nate' Pelletier, 'When Calls the Heart' actor, dead at 53

Actor Nathaniel ‘Nate’ Pelletier from ‘When Calls the Heart’ passes away at age 53

Nathaniel “Nate” Pelletier, who starred in the popular Hallmark series “When Calls the…
Pope Leo XIV appearing on the Vatican balcony.

From Chicago’s Horse-riding Math Genius to Pope: The Journey of Robert Prevost to Becoming Leo XIV

From a promising math prodigy in America to a daring missionary in…
College Football player Ben Christman died of irregular heartbeat at UNLV off campus apartment

UNLV Student and College Football Player Ben Christman Passes Away from Heart Arrhythmia in Off-Campus Apartment

Ben Christman, an offensive lineman in college football who transferred from Kentucky…
Nicole Kidman has hair makeover at ACMs after Met Gala wig rumors

Nicole Kidman Debuts New Hairstyle at ACMs Following Met Gala Wig Speculations

Nicole Kidman returned to her trademark long hairstyle at the Academy of…