Officials say body of 20-year-old woman recovered at Grand Canyon following days-long search

A tragic discovery was made at the Grand Canyon on Tuesday as officials recovered the body of a 20-year-old woman after days of intense searching. Leticia A. Castillo’s death marked the third fatality reported at the national park since July 31, with at least four deaths recorded since the beginning of summer. The recovery operations were hindered by inclement weather and treacherous terrain, posing challenges for the search teams.

Originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico, Castillo was believed to have entered the Grand Canyon around August 3. Her body was found approximately 150 feet below the rim near Twin Overlooks along Desert View Drive. Investigating authorities, including the National Park Service and the county medical examiner, are now looking into the circumstances surrounding her tragic death.

Prior to the discovery of Castillo’s body, officials received a report on August 1 about a visitor who had attempted a BASE jump from Yavapai Point on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. The victim’s body was found 500 feet below the rim, alongside a deployed parachute. The individual has not been publicly identified yet. It is important to note that BASE jumping, which involves parachuting from fixed objects, is strictly prohibited within the park boundaries.

Tragedy struck again at the Grand Canyon on July 31 when Abel Joseph Mejia, a 20-year-old resident from North Carolina, fell from the rim approximately 1/4 mile west of Pipe Creek Overlook. His body was discovered 400 feet below the rim by park rangers. The Indiana Bible College in Indianapolis, where Mejia was a student, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of a vibrant member of their community.

Furthermore, a local church revealed that Mejia was on a mission trip at the time of his fatal fall, highlighting his compassionate and giving spirit. The church urged followers to keep the Mejia family in their prayers during this difficult time.

Earlier in the summer, a Texas man tragically passed away after collapsing on a hiking trail in the Grand Canyon. Such incidents serve as stark reminders of the dangers present in the vast and rugged landscape of the national park. According to CBS affiliate KLAS-TV, approximately 12 deaths occur each year at the Grand Canyon National Park.