Husband of sole Wrangell landslide survivor found dead in search

A 12-year-old boy is the last person who remains missing in the fatal landslide near Wrangell, after Alaska State Troopers say volunteers found a man’s body Thursday, bringing the disaster’s official death toll to five.

Troopers said in an online dispatch Friday that 65-year-old Otto Florschutz’s body was recovered at about 4:30 p.m. Thursday by Wrangell Search and Rescue volunteers, working with search dogs and an excavator.

He was the husband of Christina Florschutz, a local teacher’s aide and the sole survivor of the Nov. 20 landslide. She told reporters last week that she was upstairs in their home when the slide knocked her around like “weightless popcorn,” leading to an overnight ordeal in the ruins of her attic that she survived by using pieces of polar fleece to keep herself warm.

Last year, Otto Florschutz ran as a Republican among dozens of candidates in the special election to replace the late Rep. Don Young. Young’s seat is now held by Rep. Mary Peltola.

Florschutz joins four members of the Heller family confirmed dead in the slide. Timothy Heller, 44, Beth Heller, 36, and Mara Heller, 16, were all found dead after the 500-foot-wide slide destroyed three homes. Kara Heller, 11, was found Saturday amid an extensive search of the debris near Mile 11 of the Zimovia Highway.

Troopers said Friday that 12-year-old Derek Heller is still missing.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.