Five family members were killed in a suspected flash-flooding incident in Wayne County over the weekend while camping, hiking, and rappelling. Among those lost was Katrina Gubler Long, a businesswoman and community figure whose death has prompted an outpouring of remembrance from friends, family, and colleagues in Spanish Fork.
Vigil Honors Memory of Katrina Gubler Long
Dozens of community members gathered at the Summit Medical Spa in Spanish Fork on Sunday to hold a candlelight vigil for Katrina Gubler Long. Long, who co-founded the spa with business partner Sam Butler, was remembered by attendees as a dedicated entrepreneur and a central figure in her blended family.
“Right off the bat, you can tell that she is business,” Butler said during the vigil. “When you break down her barriers and her walls, she’s full of love, life.” Attendees noted that Long’s professional life was deeply influenced by her empathy for first responders and search and rescue personnel, a perspective she gained through her husband, Provo Fire Capt. Spencer Long.
Did You Know? Katrina Long’s daughter, Lydia, was the only member of the family not present during the trip. She was working as a nurse in Kentucky at the time of the flash flooding.
Family Dynamics and Community Impact
Friends and colleagues described the Long family as a close-knit group defined by their love for the outdoors. Meagan Dexter, a close friend and co-worker, recalled the family’s frequent activities, which included mountain hiking and canyon excursions. “They loved to be out in the mountains, out in the canyons,” Dexter said. “Knowing that all of this happened in a canyon just kind of breaks my heart.”
Long was known for her commitment to both her professional team and her personal relationships. Dexter shared that Long was instrumental in supporting her through personal fertility challenges, offering both resources and emotional encouragement. This spirit of support also extended to the workplace, where Long and Butler aimed to provide a space for first responders to process the stresses of their profession.
Investigation and Next Steps
Authorities have not yet released additional details regarding the sequence of events that led to the flash flood. The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the incident.
Frequently Asked Questions
The family was camping, hiking, and rappelling in a canyon area in Wayne County when the flash-flooding incident occurred.
The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the deadly flash flood.
According to reports from the vigil, Katrina Long’s daughter, Lydia, was not on the trip because she was working as a nurse in Kentucky.