Authorities have confirmed that the human remains found in a canyon in Grand County, Utah belong to a Texas woman who disappeared with her husband while exploring an area in Moab. The woman’s identity has been established, and investigations into the cause of death are ongoing.
Maranda Ankofski’s remains have been officially identified by the Office of the Medical Examiner, according to a statement released by the Grand County Sheriff’s Office. The discovery of the remains was made on July 22, 2024, in the canyon.
In a press release, the Grand County Sheriff’s Office expressed its heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Maranda Ankofski during this difficult time. The sheriff’s office understands the gravity of this news and its potential impact on the community. As more information becomes available, the sheriff’s office is committed to keeping the public informed.
According to Maranda’s family, she and her husband Ray were in Moab, exploring the Steel Bender Off Road Trail area when a thunderstorm hit the region on July 19. Their last communication was before the storm.
A couple who went missing in Utah may have been swept away in a flash flood while exploring a trail on a UTV.
Authorities reported that the Ankofskis’ UTV was discovered with significant damage, and their personal belongings were scattered across a 3-mile stretch in a canyon. The Ankofski family shared an image of the wreckage with KSTU.
Multiple hikers were trapped in the area due to the storm, which caused flash flooding. A six-hour operation was carried out by the Grand County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue team to rescue at least 20 stranded hikers from Grand Staff Canyon.
On Monday, upon receiving a report of the couple’s disappearance, officials initiated a search and rescue mission. The Grand County Sheriff’s Office informed that a UTV owned by the couple was discovered in the Steel Bender Trail region.
A body has been discovered near a San Diego trail where a hiker went missing during a heat wave and separated from their group.
On Monday, Ray and Maranda Ankofski were reported missing following a storm that hit the Moab region while they were riding their UTV on a trail.
According to Chief Deputy Mike Palmer, the UTV was most likely carried away by the flash flooding that occurred during the storm, causing significant damage to it.
According to Palmer, it is likely that the UTV was carried away by the flood for a distance of three-quarters to a mile, which resulted in it falling off the waterfall. He further explains that the belongings and tools of the passengers have been found scattered across a three-mile area within the canyon.
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