Current:Home > ScamsBody of missing woman recovered at Grand Canyon marks 3rd park death in 1 week -TrueNorth Capital Hub
Body of missing woman recovered at Grand Canyon marks 3rd park death in 1 week
View
Date:2025-04-14 15:58:45
Officials have recovered the body of a missing 20-year-old woman at the Grand Canyon following a multi-day search.
Her death marked the third reported death in the national park in one week.
The body of Leticia A. Castillo of Albuquerque, New Mexico was discovered Thursday below Twin Overlooks along Desert View Drive, Grand Canyon National Park officials posted on Facebook.
Park rangers recovered her body about 150 feet below the rim and transported it to the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office where it was positively identified, park officials reported.
The medical examiner's office will determine Castillo's official cause and manner of death.
Of the 63 U.S. national parks:These had the most fatalities since 2007.
20-year-old woman's death marks 3rd at Grand Canyon in 1 week
Since July 31, the Grand Canyon Search and Rescue team has recovered three bodies at the park.
"Despite facing inclement weather and hazardous terrain, the team has undertaken significant risks to complete these missions," officials wrote on the Grand Canyon National Park page.
On Aug. 1, the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report of a visitor who had attempted a BASE jump from Yavapai Point. Park rangers responded to the scene and located Justin Guthrie of St. Anne, Missouri, approximately 500 feet below the rim, along with his deployed parachute. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
His body was recovered and transported to the rim by helicopter and transferred to the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office who positively identified him.
One day earlier Abel Joseph Mejia, 20, fell 400 feet to his death after standing too close to the edge of the rim. Mejia’s death was ruled accidental in nature, according to a park service news release. Mejia was also pronounced dead at the scene.
All three deaths remained under investigation by the park service on Monday.
Contributing: Amaris Encinas
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.
veryGood! (8)
Related
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- The Botched Docs Face an Amputation and More Shocking Cases in Grisly Season 8 Trailer
- In the Race to Develop the Best Solar Power Materials, What If the Key Ingredient Is Effort?
- After Cutting Off Water to a Neighboring Community, Scottsdale Proposes a Solution
- The FBI should have done more to collect intelligence before the Capitol riot, watchdog finds
- Chipotle testing a robot, dubbed Autocado, that makes guacamole
- How RZA Really Feels About Rihanna and A$AP Rocky Naming Their Son After Him
- California Activists Redouble Efforts to Hold the Oil Industry Accountable on Neighborhood Drilling
- New Mexico governor seeks funding to recycle fracking water, expand preschool, treat mental health
- RHOM's Guerdy Abraira Proudly Debuts Shaved Head as She Begins Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer
Ranking
- Biden administration makes final diplomatic push for stability across a turbulent Mideast
- Chipotle testing a robot, dubbed Autocado, that makes guacamole
- If You Bend the Knee, We'll Show You House of the Dragon's Cast In and Out of Costume
- OutDaughtered’s Danielle and Adam Busby Detail Her Alarming Battle With Autoimmune Disease
- Federal appeals court upholds $14.25 million fine against Exxon for pollution in Texas
- Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2023: The Influencers' Breakdown of the Best Early Access Deals
- Holiday Traditions in the Forest Revive Spiritual Relationships with Nature, and Heal Planetary Wounds
- Lisa Vanderpump Has the Best Idea of Where to Put Her Potential Vanderpump Rules Emmy Award
Recommendation
EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
Pennsylvania Environmental Officials Took 9 Days to Inspect a Gas Plant Outside Pittsburgh That Caught Fire on Christmas Day
Flood-Prone Communities in Virginia May Lose a Lifeline if Governor Pulls State Out of Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative
As Russia bombs Ukraine ports and threatens ships, U.S. says Putin using food as a weapon against the world
Mets have visions of grandeur, and a dynasty, with Juan Soto as major catalyst
Educator, Environmentalist, Union Leader, Senator, Paul Pinsky Now Gets to Turn His Climate Ideals Into Action
Elon Musk launches new AI company, called xAI, with Google and OpenAI researchers
Save $28 on This TikTok-Famous Strivectin Tightening Neck Cream Before Prime Day 2023 Ends