Body of missing woman recovered at Grand Canyon marks 3rd park death in 1 week
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 [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.