Skier's Body Retrieved 7 Months Post-Alaska Avalanche; Search Continues for Two

The Alaskan authorities disclosed on Tuesday that one skier's remains have been located seven months after the tragic avalanche incident that left three individuals missing.

David Linder, aged 39, Charles Eppard, also 39, alongside 38-year-old Jeremy Leif, were engaged in heliskiing on March 4 when they were caught in the deadly snow slide. Immediately, rescue teams were dispatched, yet the massive snow cover—ranging between 40 to 100 feet—at the steep slope's base hindered operations. Combined with the persistent threat of further avalanches, this made the area perilous for recovery missions.

An Alaska State Troopers' spokesperson previously indicated skepticism about the survival prospects for the missing trio. Recovery operations were deferred to ensure safer conditions, acknowledging potential delays extending possibly over several months.

On Friday, a collective of volunteers from the Alaska Mountain Rescue Group, along with the Girdwood Volunteer Fire Department, revisited the avalanche location. They successfully extracted the body of one skier, yet his identity is pending confirmation at the state medical examiner's office.

The extracted remains were entangled within a log jam in the river beneath the site. Coordinated efforts are on the agenda to continue the search for the remaining missing persons.

Linder, Eppard, and Leif, companions from their Minnesota roots, shared a deep passion for skiing. Girdwood, celebrated as Alaska’s skiing hub, attracts enthusiasts. Heliskiing, their chosen sport, enables adventurers to access isolated mountaintops via helicopter where ski lifts are absent.

Nationally, avalanches claim the lives of 25 to 30 individuals each winter. During the 2024-2025 season, 23 fatalities were recorded, predominantly affecting skiers and snowboarders. Incidents included a January casualty within a group and a June tragedy when an avalanche was accidentally set off.