Rescue Efforts Recover Body of Avalanche Victim in Alaska

Authorities have retrieved the remains of one of three skiers who were caught in a severe avalanche in the Alaskan mountains in March. The incident occurred in the Chugach Range near Girdwood during a guided heli-skiing trip on March 4.

The victims—David Linder, 39; Charles Eppard, 39; and Jeremy Leif, 38—were believed to be buried under snow depths ranging from 40 to nearly 100 feet at the time of the slide. Rescue teams, including the Alaska Mountain Rescue Group and Girdwood Volunteer Fire Department, managed to locate one body after returning to the site on Friday. The body was found entangled in a log jam beneath the snow and flow area of the avalanche.

Weather conditions initially hampered rescue efforts, preventing helicopter flights and raising concerns about future avalanches. A fourth skier, who was part of the group, was rescued and reported hearing someone shout “avalanche” just before the snow engulfed them from above at an elevation of 3,500 feet.

The recovered remains are set to be examined by the State Medical Examiner for identification. The authorities have not disclosed which of the three skiers was found, but the victims left behind families and loved ones who are grieving their loss.

David Linder, a Miami resident and co-owner of Sub Arctic Media, operated over 20 talk shows and radio stations across Minnesota. Charles Eppard, from Montana, was remembered as a caring father and dedicated professional, survived by his wife and daughter. Jeremy Leif, a Minneapolis-based CEO of Leif Consulting Group and a passionate Vikings fan, also left behind a wife and two children.

The tragedy marks the deadliest avalanche incident in the U.S. since the 2023 snowslide in Washington’s Cascade Range. Authorities plan to continue search and rescue operations to recover the remaining two missing skiers.