Amanda Rogers' emotional legacy: Her body was found hugging her dog after a brave act in Alaska

On March 24, authorities found a dead body Amanda Richmond Rogersa woman who disappeared on December 23, 2023 after jumping into the icy waters of the river to try to save her. Grootfor him dogWho fell through the ice while hiking North prong eaglein AlaskaUnited State.

For several days, authorities and volunteers joined the search efforts, but they were unsuccessful. Four months later, her heroic act came to light after a passerby found Amanda's body hugging Groot.

Her relatives stated that she jumped because she was not rescuing “just a dog,” Groot was another member of the family and she was willing to do anything to bring him back to the surface.

On the afternoon of December 23 last year, Amanda was celebrating her 18th wedding anniversary with husband Brian Rogers when Groot, one of their two dogs, fell into the icy river water while they were walking. North prong eagle While trying to drink from a small hole in the ice, according to local media Anchorage Daily News.

Brian initially entered the river to try to save his pet, but quickly returned to the surface when he couldn't find it. Amanda, determined to save him, jumped into the river.

“I knew from the look on his face that he was going to save our dog. She was an emergency nurse, trained to help and rescue people,” Brian said in a statement, according to local media.

The man shouted to his wife to come back, but she did not listen. He admitted that he saw her swimming downstream before she disappeared. “I've waited and waited and I'm still waiting,” Brian said.

Her husband admitted that the woman jumped into the river because she loved her dog as if he were her son. “She didn't step in to save just a dog, she was a family member. For me and our four children, she died a hero,” he said.

Efforts were coordinated to find Amanda, and both the Anchorage Police Force and the Anchorage Fire Department responded to the call for assistance. The Department of Public Safety used a helicopter to search for the woman by air.

As well as volunteers from Alaska Search, Rescue and Recovery TeamThey joined the effort and began investigating under the ice, but were unable to locate Amanda's body. According to the television network NBC NewsThe search ended on December 29.

A passerby discovered Amanda's body on the afternoon of March 24 while hiking along the road. North Fork EditAccording to what police spokesman Rene Oestad told the media Anchorage Daily News.

The body was recovered and the forensic team later confirmed it was Rogers'.

Jennifer Richmond, Amanda's sister, confirmed to local media KTUU That she was found with her arms wrapped around Groot and that she truly died a hero to her four children.

At the beginning of that month, Amanda's family and loved ones organized a celebration to remember her life and work. During the anniversary celebration, one of her children offered her a few words and said, “Mom was such a unique and special person that God couldn’t wait any longer to see her in heaven, and I don’t blame him.”