Family of Utah Avalanche Victim Raises Funds for Wasatch Backcountry Rescue

Overview

• Brian O’Keefe, 45, was killed Sunday in an avalanche while snowbiking near the Snake Creek area by Midway, and his body was recovered Monday.
• His family created a GoFundMe to benefit Wasatch Backcountry Rescue, the volunteer group that mobilized for the search.
• WBR president Margie Van Komen said this is the first time a victim’s family has organized a fundraiser for the group, which aims to reach avalanche sites within 15–30 minutes.
• The organization’s K‑9 unit located O’Keefe within about an hour on Monday, a result the family cited in directing donations toward training and canine teams.
• Relatives said they searched immediately but could not find a signal on his beacon before calling Search and Rescue, and the death followed a week with other deadly Utah avalanches.