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Photo courtesy of Mr. Brunelli's family
Contact: Shannan Marcak, 928-638-7958 Grand Canyon, Ariz. – Grand Canyon National Park rangers are searching the Grandview-Hance area for a man who has been missing for at least two days. At approximately 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 5, the National Park Service received word that a man reported missing to the Coconino County Sherriff’s Office (CCSO) might be in Grand Canyon National Park. The CCSO had received the initial report on the evening of September 4; and based on evidence found during their investigations, determined that 43 year old Andrew Brunelli of North Carolina might have gone hiking in Grand Canyon National Park. Upon receiving the report, rangers began searching parking areas near major trail heads on the South Rim. A short time later, a blue Hyundai Accent matching the description provided by the CCSO was found in the Grandview Point parking area. Investigators quickly determined that the car was a rental and that it had been rented to Mr. Brunelli. Aerial searches of the primary trails, routes and drainages in the area were begun; and three ground search teams were inserted into the area to begin searching the primary trails. Today, aerial search efforts will continue and additional ground search teams will be added as they become available. Unfortunately, no specific itinerary for Mr. Brunelli’s visit to the park is known at this time. As a result, park investigators are seeking the assistance of anyone who has visited the Grand Canyon within the last week and might have seen Mr. Brunelli. Andrew Brunelli is 43 years of age and is described as 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighing 200 pounds, with short medium-brown hair and grey-blue eyes. He may or may not be unshaven at this time. Mr. Brunelli’s last known location was the Grand Canyon Inn in Valle, Arizona, where he was last seen by hotel staff on August 30. If you believe that you have seen Andrew Brunelli since August 30, please, contact the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center at 928-638-7805. The National Park Service is conducting an investigation into this incident and is working closely with the Coconino County Sherriff’s Office on the investigation and on search and rescue efforts. -NPS- |
Last updated: December 29, 2017