Two sisters among those killed in Lake Tahoe avalanche
BBC World
February 19, 2026
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An avalanche near Castle Peak in California's Sierra Nevada mountains has claimed at least eight lives, marking the deadliest such disaster in modern state history. The incident occurred on Tuesday, affecting a group of 15 skiers returning from a trip, with one person still missing and presumed dead. Among those killed were Caroline Sekar, 45, and her sister Liz Clabaugh, 52, both described as integral members of a tight-knit community that has frequented ski trips together since university days.
The victims were part of an 11-person group, many of whom had been friends for decades. McAlister Clabaugh, their brother, expressed the profound loss felt by their family and friends, emphasizing their roles as sisters, mothers, wives, and friends. Local officials, including Max Perrey, the mayor of Mill Valley, noted that some victims were from his
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Originally published on BBC World on 2/19/2026