In the small community of Haines, Alaska, 30-year-old David Anthony Simmons was a respected figure, serving as the interim executive director of the Haines Economic Development Corp.. He had made a home for himself in the scenic but wild landscape of the region. On December 2, 2020, this sense of normalcy was shattered when a massive landslide, triggered by torrential rainfall, tore through his neighborhood on Beach Road.. David, along with his tenant, 23-year-old Jenae Larson, who rented an apartment above his garage, were in his home when the devastating force of nature struck, wiping the structure from its foundation.. The slide was immense, estimated to be about 600 feet wide, and left a trail of destruction, carrying mud, trees, and the remnants of four homes down to the waterline..
Immediate search and rescue efforts were launched, with community members, local authorities, and teams from surrounding areas mobilizing to find any survivors.. Initially, six people were reported missing, but four were quickly located and confirmed to be safe.. The focus then narrowed to finding David and Jenae. The conditions, however, were perilous. The ground remained highly unstable, with the constant threat of further slides, and was saturated from the record rainfall that had pummeled the area for days.. Rescue crews, including the Alaska State Troopers and the Coast Guard, were able to conduct aerial searches and comb the beaches, but the debris field itself was too dangerous to enter on foot.. The ongoing rain and unstable terrain severely hampered the search, creating a frustrating and heartbreaking situation for everyone involved..
Days after the landslide, with no new evidence and the continuing danger posed by the unstable hillside, authorities made the difficult decision to suspend the active search for David and Jenae.. The mayor of Haines, in a somber announcement, acknowledged the tragic likelihood that they had not survived and emphasized that they could not risk more lives by sending search teams into the hazardous area.. This marked a turning point in the community's response, shifting from a mission of rescue to one of recovery and grieving. The town of Haines, known for its tight-knit community, rallied together to support the displaced families and mourn the loss of two of its promising young residents.. In the years that followed, memorials, including dedicated benches, were created to honor the memory of David Simmons and Jenae Larson, a lasting tribute to the lives lost in the tragic event.. The scar on the mountainside serves as a permanent reminder of the day the earth moved and forever changed the lives of those in Haines..
Last Seen: Dec 2, 2020
