Remains Found During Grand Canyon Flood Search

National Park Service rangers recovered human remains near Crystal Rapid on the Colorado River on Sept. 14, about 10 miles downstream from Phantom Ranch. The remains were transferred to the Coconino County Medical Examiner's Office in Flagstaff. The National Park Service said the person's identity, as well as their cause and manner of death, were not immediately known. The discovery came amid work tied to an Aug. 29 flash flood around 2:30 p.m. in Bright Angel Canyon. That flood killed John Giusti, 46, and Brent Rosenkranz, 42, both of Granbury, Texas, and left companion Timothy Allen Smith, 53, missing. About 80 people were rescued. The flood destroyed footbridges and campgrounds, damaged the Transcanyon Waterline, triggered Stage 4 water restrictions on the South Rim, and closed Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Campground, and the North Kaibab Trail. Coconino County Sheriff's Office drone teams had aided earlier search phases. On Sept. 15 Carrie Smith wrote on Facebook: "We are aware that the Grand Canyon found remains yesterday. We ask that you continue to pray alongside us!" She added a plea to "be considerate of those handling the situation and those going through this difficult time," and said, "God is good and loves us unconditionally through every step of life." What is contested: None. The identity of the remains has not been released, and the remote inner-canyon site has complicated recovery.