Jenne Smith, partner of Iditarod musher Lance Mackey, has died

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - Iditarod musher Lance Mackey said that Jenne Smith, his partner and mother of his children, died in an ATV crash over the weekend.

According to a trooper dispatch released Wednesday, Smith was found dead by her friends near Resolution Road on Monday morning.

Troopers said an initial investigation showed Smith rolled her ATV late Sunday night and was trapped underneath the vehicle; they don’t believe she was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

“Jenne was my rock during my rehab and recovery. She will continue to be with the kids and I as they grow into the amazing people she knew they would be,” Mackey wrote in the post.

It is with great sadness that I say my friend, my partner, the mother of my babies died in an ATV accident on Sunday...
Posted by Lance Mackey on Wednesday, October 7, 2020

Mackey’s sister, Kristin Elieff said Smith’s death is devastating for the family, and that Mackey has gone on a dog run with his children.

“Jenne was the focal point in Lance’s whole life," Elieff said.

Shortly after Mackey posted on Facebook, hundreds of people issued their condolences. The Alaska Sports Hall of Fame called it terrible news and said it was wishing for the best for both families.

Correction: This story has been updated with the correct spelling of Kristin Elieff’s name, as well as correct Jenne’s last name from Metolie to Smith based on the trooper dispatch about the incident.