Human Remains Found in Grand Canyon During Search for Missing Hiker

Human remains were discovered near Crystal Rapid on the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon on Monday, September 14, 2026, during the ongoing search for a hiker who vanished during a deadly flash flood more than two weeks earlier. The National Park Service confirmed that law enforcement rangers recovered the remains and transferred them to the Coconino County Medical Examiner's Office for identification. The discovery occurred during the search for Timothy Allen Smith, 53, who has been missing since the August 29 flash flood. Officials have not confirmed whether the recovered remains belong to Smith, leaving the primary question of identity unresolved. The medical examiner's office has not released further details. Smith was part of a group of three friends from Granbury, Texas, who arrived at the Grand Canyon on August 27. The other two men, John Giusti, 46, and Brent Rosenkranz, 42, were killed in the flood, and their bodies were recovered shortly after. The group had reached Bright Angel Campground and was exploring when the flood struck around 2:30 p.m. on August 29. The flash flood was triggered by monsoon storms and caused significant damage throughout the canyon.