Claudia Cowan

15 skiers, four guides, and 11 of their clients, finishing up a three-day winter camping trip in Castle Peak.

An avalanche warning was in effect at the time with heavy snow and gale force winds.

It took hours for some 50 rescuers to get to a group of six that managed to survive the avalanche that was described as the length of a football field.

Those nine backcountry skiers have been missing for more than 17 hours in just about the worst weather conditions you can imagine.

Six other people were rescued.

The Nevada County Sheriff posting on Facebook, quote, Due to extreme weather conditions, it took several hours for rescue personnel to safely reach the skiers and transport them to safety where they were medically evaluated by truckie fire.

Two of the six skiers have been transported to a hospital for treatment.

His newly appointed defense lawyer, Kathy Nestor, is a former federal public defender qualified to handle this death penalty case.

The evidence includes his DNA on the alleged murder weapon and what appears to be a text message confession.

For now, he remains in isolation and on a suicide watch at the Utah County Jail.

In Provo, Utah, Claudia Cowan, Fox News.