Newlywed Drowns on Alaskan Hike in Search of “Into the Wild” Bus

The search for the Fairbanks Bus 142 made famous by the book and movie “Into the Wild” has claimed another life: a woman drowned while on a hike meant to lead her and her new husband to the so-called Magic Bus.

Last week, Piotr Markielau called in to report his wife’s death. He told troopers that Veranika Nikanava had been swept away by the current as they were trying to cross the Teklanika River near Healy, Alaska, which was “running high and swift due to recent rains.”

According to a statement from the Alaska Department of Public Safety, State Troopers, the man was able to retrieve his wife’s body a short distance down river but, when he did, it was already late. He told police that, one month into their marriage, they had decided to trek to the Magic Bus, as the missing bus made famous by “Into the Wild” is known.

The woman’s body has been state to the State Medical Examiner, which will determine the exact cause of death. An investigation into the incident is underway, but records show that this isn’t the only death caused by the elements on hikes towards the bus: in 2010, a Swiss tourist suffered a similar fate just one mile from the abandoned vehicle.

Authorities recommend caution when embarking on this journey, and tourists are “encouraged to enjoy Alaska’s outdoors and to come prepared for challenging weather, water, and geographical conditions.”

The 1996 book by Jon Krakauer “Into the Wild” told the real story of Christopher McCandless, who left behind a life of plenty to search for himself while traveling across the U.S. His quest finally takes him to Alaska, where he stumbles across the abandoned bus that he turns into his home. He would spend the summer here: 4 months later, authorities found his dead body inside. The Alaska wilderness proved too much for him.

In 2007, the film of the same name came out, under the direction of (and with a script by) Sean Penn, with Emile Hirsch as the leading man.