Last body located in deadly landslide in rural Washington

Officials in Snohomish County said they believe they have located the last body of the 43 people killed in a massive landslide that tore through a rural area near Oso, Wash., four months ago.

The body of Molly Kristine “Kris” Regelbrugge, 44, was found about 8 a.m. Tuesday on the west side of the slide site, according to the county sheriff’s office.

“I’m humbled and honored that we are able return Kris to her family,” said Sheriff Ty Trenary. “I’m also extremely grateful to the communities of Oso, Darrington and Arlington who stood beside us these past four months in our efforts to recover all of the missing victims.”

The Snohomish County medical examiner will confirm identification of the body once it is recovered. Recovery could be completed by the end of Tuesday, officials said in a prepared statement.

On March 22, a portion of the hillside collapsed about 4 miles east of Oso, sending mud and debris pouring across a 1-square mile area. The slide hit the Regelbrugge home. Kris’ husband, Navy Cmdr. John Regelbrugge III, was killed in the slide and his body was among the 42 that had been previously recovered.

The search for victims ended in April but workers have continued to screen debris looking for the last body.

“It is a testament to the persistence of the sheriff’s office that today, four months after the slide, we recovered the final victim,” Snohomish County Executive John Lovick said in a prepared statement. “The sheriff’s search and rescue teams are true professionals. I am honored and humbled by their dedication and commitment to this community.”

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