In a tragic turn of events, the authorities in south-east Alaska have recovered the body of 11-year-old Kara Heller from the debris of a devastating landslide that occurred in a remote fishing village. The landslide, which occurred earlier in the week, tore down a wooded mountainside, smashing into homes and claiming the lives of four individuals, including Kara's parents and sister.

Timothy Heller, 44, Beth Heller, 36, and Mara Heller, 16, were discovered and confirmed dead in the immediate aftermath of the landslide. However, the search crews are now focused on finding the third child from the Heller family, Derek, 12, along with their neighbor, Otto Florschutz, 65. Remarkably, Florschutz's wife managed to survive the disaster.

The landslide occurred in the direct path of three homes near Wrangell, a fishing community with a population of approximately 2,000 residents. Wrangell is situated on an island about 155 miles south of Juneau. Tim DeSpain, a spokesperson for the Alaska Department of Public Safety, stated that the latest victim, Kara Heller, was found under debris within the slide area. Trained dogs and an excavator were employed by the authorities to locate and recover the remains.

Heart-wrenching photos captured the aftermath of the landslide, showcasing a stark dirt path estimated to be 450 feet wide, stretching from the top of a nearby mountain down to the ocean amid lush evergreen trees. The debris field was so extensive that it covered the coastal highway before reaching the sea.

Initially, the troopers had deemed a large-scale search and rescue operation too hazardous due to the unstable nature of the site. However, a geologist from the state transportation department later assessed the areas of the debris field and deemed them safe for ground searches.

The community of Wrangell, known for its close-knit nature, has been devastated by this unimaginable tragedy. Local authorities, alongside the Alaska Department of Public Safety, are working tirelessly to locate Derek Heller and Otto Florschutz, offering support to the affected families during this distressing time.