In the small community of Haines, Alaska, 23-year-old Jenae Elisabeth Larson, a beloved kindergarten teacher, was living her dream. A lifelong resident, she had recently graduated from the University of Idaho and returned to her hometown to teach at the very school she attended as a child. On December 2, 2020, Jenae was in her apartment, which she rented above the garage of David Simmons' home on Beach Road.
That day, a record-breaking storm hit the area, unleashing torrential rain and causing widespread flooding and dozens of landslides. One of these slides, a massive debris flow estimated to be 600 feet wide, tore down the mountainside, destroying four homes, including the one where Jenae resided. In the immediate aftermath, Jenae and David Simmons were reported missing.
A large-scale search and rescue operation was launched, involving Alaska State Troopers, the Alaska National Guard, the U.S. Coast Guard, and numerous volunteer organizations. Rescuers faced treacherous conditions, with the debris field estimated to be covered in up to nine feet of mud and trees, and the continued rainfall made the ground dangerously unstable. The search included aerial surveys by helicopter and teams combing the beaches, but the slide area itself was too hazardous for a ground search. Initially, six people were feared missing, but four were quickly located and found to be safe. The focus then narrowed to finding Jenae and David, but as days passed with no sign of them and with the ongoing risk of further landslides, the official search was suspended.
The community of Haines, a close-knit town of fewer than 2,000 people, was left to grieve the profound loss of two of its vibrant members. Jenae was remembered as a kind and dedicated teacher who had just begun her career and was passionate about helping others. David Simmons was the executive director of the Haines Economic Development Corporation and was known for his energy and commitment to the community. The tragic event was a stark reminder of the power of nature and the fragility of life. While the active search for Jenae and David concluded, their memories live on in the hearts of those who knew them. The devastating landslide left a lasting scar on the landscape and the community, a tragic story of lives cut short by a natural disaster.Last Seen: Dec 2, 2020
