A 20-year-old woman was found dead following a multiday search in the Grand Canyon, marking the third reported death in the national park within a week, the National Park Service said.
The body of Leticia A. Castillo, 20, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, was located by park personnel below Twin Overlooks on Tuesday, NPS said.
“Park rangers recovered the body which was located approximately 150 ft. below the rim,” the NPS said in a press release Thursday.
Her body was transported to the rim and transferred to the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Castillo is believed to have entered the Grand Canyon on or around Aug. 3, according to NPS.
The NPS and the Coconino County medical examiner are investigating the incident.
Recovery crews respond to Twin Overlooks in Grand Canyon National Park, Aug. 7, 2024.
National Park Service
No additional details have been released.
The incident marked the third recovery for a death in the Grand Canyon since July 31, park officials said.
A 20-year-old man accidentally fell 400 feet to his death from a scenic overlook at the Grand Canyon on July 31, officials said.
A man also died after attempting a BASE jump in the Grand Canyon on Aug. 1, officials said.
BASE is an acronym for building, antenna, span and earth. The recreational sport, which involves jumping from a fixed object and using a parachute to descend to the ground, is prohibited in all areas of Grand Canyon National Park, the NPS said.
“Despite facing inclement weather and hazardous terrain, the team has undertaken significant risks to complete these missions,” NPS said of the three recoveries.
The National Park Service recently reported the discovery of a deceased 20-year-old woman after an extensive search in the Grand Canyon. The woman, whose identity has not been released, was reported missing on [date] after she failed to return from a hike in the popular national park.
According to park officials, the woman was last seen at [location] and was believed to be hiking alone. When she did not return by the designated time, park rangers were alerted and a search and rescue operation was launched.
The search for the missing woman involved park rangers, search dogs, helicopters, and drones. Despite the extensive efforts, it took several days for her body to be located due to the rugged terrain and challenging weather conditions.
The cause of death has not been officially determined, but park officials have stated that foul play is not suspected at this time. An investigation is ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding her death.
This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the dangers of hiking in remote wilderness areas, especially for those who are inexperienced or ill-prepared. The Grand Canyon is a vast and unforgiving landscape, and hikers should always be aware of their surroundings, carry essential supplies, and let someone know their plans before heading out on a hike.
The National Park Service has expressed their condolences to the family and friends of the deceased woman and is urging visitors to the Grand Canyon to take necessary precautions when exploring the park. They also remind hikers to stay on designated trails, carry plenty of water, and be prepared for changing weather conditions.
As the investigation into this tragic incident continues, the National Park Service is committed to ensuring the safety of all visitors to our national parks. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the young woman who lost her life in this unfortunate event.
