The final missing skier from a devastating avalanche in California's Lake Tahoe backcountry has been found dead, bringing the total to nine fatalities. The powerful avalanche struck a group of friends and guides five days ago in the Castle Peak area of the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Authorities confirmed the names of all nine victims, comprising close friends, two sisters, and three guides. Two individuals from the group survived the "football-field sized" avalanche, the deadliest in modern California history, and are expected to provide crucial details about the incident. Rescue crews faced extreme conditions, including white-out weather and high winds, which significantly delayed search operations and prevented the use of helicopters for days. Upon calmer winds, helicopters were deployed to mitigate avalanche risks before crews located the ninth missing skier. The avalanche carried eight feet of snow and sustained winds of 90 mph. An investigation into potential criminal negligence is underway.