The body of a woman who leaped into an icy river to save her dog was discovered still clutching her beloved pet in Anchorage, Alaska.
Amanda Richmond Rogers and her husband, Dr. Brian Rogers, went on a stroll along North Fork Eagle River to commemorate their 18th wedding anniversary back on December 23, 2023.
During their walk, one of their canine companions, Groot, fell through the ice of the river.
Without hesitation, 45-year-old Amanda jumped into the freezing cold river in an attempt to rescue the beloved pet.
The heartbreaking discovery of her body was made on March 24. Jennifer Richmond, Richmond Rogers' sister, shared details of the harrowing incident, stating that Richmond Rogers was found cradling Groot in her arms, per PEOPLE.
"She really did die a hero," she said.
Anchorage Police Department spokesperson, Renee Oistad, confirmed that a passerby stumbled upon her body off the North Fork trail on a somber Sunday afternoon. Subsequently, the Alaska Medical Examiner’s Office officially identified the body as Richmond Rogers.
Husband Brian recalled the moment when he saw his wife plunge into the water. He had previously attempted to look for Groot but came out of the river when it got too dangerous.
"I knew from the look on her face she was going in to save our dog," he said to Anchorage Daily News, recalling his desperate pleas for her to refrain from risking her life.
"Amanda loved her dogs nearly as much as our kids; they were our family," Dr. Rogers expressed, emphasizing that her selfless act was not merely to save "just a dog" but a beloved member of their household.
Following the tragic incident in December, the Alaska Dive Search, Rescue, and Recovery Team tirelessly scoured the area in search of Richmond Rogers' body.
The couple share four sons together, Leif Thurmond, Liam Rogers, August Rogers, and Bodhi Rogers.
Earlier this month, family, friends, and colleagues gathered to celebrate Richmond Rogers' life. Her sons, Leif, Liam, August, and Bodhi, each paid heartfelt tributes, highlighting their mother's impact on their lives.
"Do as Mom did and leave this earth with no regrets," Leif said, per Alaska News Source. "Mom was such a unique, special person that God couldn’t wait any longer to see her in heaven, and I don’t blame him."
Bodhi said: "She would take Dad, her sons, and her dogs over anything in the world, her identity, I don’t care, anything," with August expressing: "Coming together to make light of this dark situation would bring tears to her eyes because we won’t look at how much time we didn’t get with her, but all the time we did."
Richmond Rogers' fellow nursing coworkers paid homage to her remarkable career with a Nightingale ceremony, honoring her commitment to saving lives as an emergency room and pediatric hospice nurse.
Our thoughts are with Amanda's loved ones during this difficult time.
