Married Couple Found Dead by Friends After Being Buried in Avalanche While Backcountry Skiing

Mar. 15, 2025

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office responded to the incident on February 17, 2025.Photo:The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office

A husband and wife died after gettingburied in an avalanche while backcountry skiingin Oregon earlier this week, authorities said.

On Wednesday, Feb. 19, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office announcedin a statementthat Terance Olaf Skjersaa, 57, and Susan Renee Skjersaa, 52, of Bend, Oregon, were killed in the avalanche between the Bend Watershed and Broken Top Mountain —an area known as"Happy Valley."

Sergeant Jason Wall said in the statement that friends of the couple began looking for them on Monday evening and found their bodies just before midnight “buried in an avalanche.”

“Both were deceased," Wall added. “The avalanche was suspected to have occurred several hours before the subjects were found.”

‘Happy Valley’ in Oregon.AP Photo/The Oregonian, Thomas Boyd

AP Photo/The Oregonian, Thomas Boyd

Two members of the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue were sent to the site overnight and on Tuesday morning, Feb. 18, other members and a deputy joined them to conduct the investigation and recovery.

The Central Oregon Avalanche Center and United States Forest Service also assisted the sheriff’s office.

“Both victims were recovered,” Wall confirmed, adding in his statement that people should be aware “avalanche danger in the Central Cascades area is moderate to considerable.”

“Please use extreme caution when recreating in the areas and check coavalanche.org for more information including forecasts and observations,” his statement continued.

He added, “Their long history in our community and the lives they touched are a testament to the spirit and resilience that make Central Oregon such a special place to live.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

The Central Oregon Avalanche Center also expressed their condolences in aFacebook poston Wednesday

“We extend our deepest condolences to all who loved the couple who tragically lost their lives while doing what they loved,” they wrote. “As longtime residents of Central Oregon, they have touched many lives, and their legacy will continue to live on in our community.”

source: people.com