GRAND CANYON, Ariz. – A body located Saturday in Grand Canyon National Park is believed to be that of a young Louisiana woman who went missing early April.
Rangers were conducting scheduled training in the park Saturday when they located the remains of a woman below Pima Point. According to a park news release, the body is believed to be that of missing 22-year-old Diana Zacarias of Natchitoches, Louisiana, based on evidence they found at the location.
The remains found have been transferred to the Coconino County Medical Examiner for positive identification.
Zacarias was last seen in the Grand Canyon Village at the South Rim on April 2 where she arrived by Arizona Shuttle. At the time, she was also believed to have visited Yaki Point and Lookout Studio.
“We know she was at the South Rim,” park public affairs spokesman Kirby-Lynn Shedlowski told St. George News in April. “It’s my understanding she posted a selfie of herself at the South Rim – to family or friends, I’m not sure.”
According to an article posted online by Arizona State University, Pima Point is located on the northernmost edge of a wide promontory, allowing visitors a view of over 40 miles of the canyon.
“Today in the summertime the park’s free buses stop at Pima Point along Hermit Drive to the west of Grand Canyon Village,” the ASU post states. “It can also be reached by foot along the South Rim Trail.”
Zacarias’ family called the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center on April 3 and reported her missing. The National Park Service conducted a multi-day search and rescue operation, according to park news releases, both above and below the canyon’s rim by ground and helicopter.
The National Park Service and Coconino County Medical Examiner are continuing their investigation and not releasing any additional information at this time.
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @JoyceKuzmanic @STGnews
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2016, all rights reserved.
I was hoping for a different outcome. sad day, my condolences to the family ,