The Alaska State Troopers have confirmed the identity of one of the three men who went missing in a Girdwood avalanche earlier this year.

Volunteers from the Alaska Mountain Rescue Group and the Girdwood Volunteer Fire Department recovered the remains of 39-year-old David Linder of Florida from a river beneath the avalanche site. His remains have been positively identified by the State Medical Examiner, and next of kin have been notified.

The avalanche, which occurred on March 4th near the West Fork of the 20 Mile River, involved three adult heliskiers: Linder, Charles Eppard of Montana, and Jeremy Leif of Minnesota. The men were buried between 40 and nearly 100 feet deep.

Recovery of the other two men has been delayed due to the steep terrain and high risk of additional avalanches. Off

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