Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP141354)
On March 6, 2025, a tragic accident in the Alaskan wilderness led to the disappearance of 42-year-old Sean Kendall of Anchorage. He and four other adults were traveling in a side-by-side utility vehicle, crossing the Susitna River near the confluence with Fish Creek, when the ice gave way. The group was en route to a remote job site at Point MacKenzie, north of Anchorage.
While three individuals managed to escape the frigid water, Kendall and a colleague, 32-year-old Skye Rench of Wasilla, were swept away by the current under the ice. The survivors made their way to a nearby work camp and were later picked up by a chartered helicopter.
In the wake of the incident, Alaska State Troopers and Alaska Wildlife Troopers initiated search efforts. Due to the unstable ice conditions, the search was primarily conducted from the air, with assets like a DPS aircraft and the Civil Air Patrol scanning the river downstream from where the vehicle went through. Despite these extensive searches, neither Sean Kendall nor Skye Rench were located. Both men are believed to have drowned in the tragic accident. Kendall, who was originally from Colorado but moved to Alaska as a child, was an experienced lineman specializing in horizontal drilling, a job that took him to remote locations across the state.
Sean Kendall is remembered by his family and friends as an extraordinary man with an easygoing nature and a great sense of humor who could light up any room. He was a graduate of West High School in Anchorage and developed many lifelong friendships there. He had a deep love for the outdoors and enjoyed motorized vehicles. Above all, he was a devoted father and husband. He leaves behind his wife, Gina, and their son, Koen. The case is a heartbreaking reminder of the dangers of traveling on ice in Alaska. While an active search was conducted, the two men were tragically lost to the river.Last Seen: Mar 6, 2025
