Date: December 21, 2017
Contact: Office of Communciations, 928-638-7779
Grand Canyon, AZ- On December 20, 2017 a private Colorado river trip participating in a day hike up the Monument Creek drainage, discovered human remains. Investigating Rangers located evidence at the scene indicating the remains are likely those of 72 year old Raafat "Ralph" NasserEddin of Los Angeles, CA.
Mr. Nasser-Eddin was reported missing on June 13, 2017 and was last seen near Hermit Camp on the Hermit Trail Sunday morning, June 11. A multi-day search effort in extreme heat of summer for Mr. Nasser-Eddin did not produce any clues to his whereabouts.
Mr. Nasser-Eddin was located approximately 2.5 miles from his last known location near Hermit Camp in an off-trail area of the Tonto Platform.
Grand Canyon National Park is working with the Coconino County Medical Examiner's Office to confirm the identify of the remains. No additional information is available at this time.
-NPS-
