News Release

Missing Person Search Initiated near Hermit Creek at Grand Canyon National Park

NPS File

News Release Date: August 24, 2021

Contact: Joelle Baird, 928-606-3154

Grand Canyon, Ariz. – The National Park Service (NPS) is conducting a missing person search at Grand Canyon National Park.   

On Monday, August 23 at approximately 4:30 a.m., the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report of two overdue hikers on the Hermit Trail within Grand Canyon National Park. Several hours later one overdue hiker reached the trailhead without incident.

The other hiker, 48-year-old Arturo Hernandez of Surprise, Arizona is reported missing and was last seen east of Hermit Creek Camp on the Tonto Trail on August 22 at approximately 11 a.m.On August 23, rangers hiked the Hermit Trail and performed aerial searching and were unable to locate Hernandez.

Today’s operations include six ground teams of 12 people total as well as aerial searches with the National Park Service helicopter. Search efforts will focus on areas near the Hermit and Tonto Trails as well as the Monument Creek drainage. 

Hernandez is described as 5’10” tall, 185 pounds, with gray hair and brown eyes. He was last seen carrying a black daypack, and wearing a blue shirt, black athletic shorts, and black Nike shoes.

In addition to the search and rescue operation, the National Park Service is also conducting a missing persons investigation. Any individual with information on the location of Arturo Hernandez should call or text the National Park Service Investigative Services Branch Tipline at 888-653-0009 or email e-mail us.
 

-NPS-

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