Story perspectives

Grand Canyon Body Identified as Missing ASU Student

5/13/2026

Summary

Story summary

Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the recovered Grand Canyon body as Sandarsh Krishna, a 26-year-old Arizona State University student.
Park staff turned in Krishna’s backpack on April 28, the day he was reported missing, while search teams deployed over 30 personnel, helicopters, drones and trail-scanning equipment.
The cause of death remains unknown as the National Park Service and the medical examiner continue their investigation.

History

Historical Context

In 1996 the Interior Department launched the National Search and Rescue Program, giving the National Park Service a formal role in coordinated wilderness rescues. The program’s interagency model later fed into the 2008 National Response Framework, which assigns inland-wilderness SAR to the Interior and splits SAR into four elements. That structure now guides the Grand Canyon operation involving park staff and medical examiners.

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Story summary

Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the recovered Grand Canyon body as Sandarsh Krishna, a 26-year-old Arizona State University student.
Park staff turned in Krishna’s backpack on April 28, the day he was reported missing, while search teams deployed over 30 personnel, helicopters, drones and trail-scanning equipment.
The cause of death remains unknown as the National Park Service and the medical examiner continue their investigation.

1 / 2