HikeArizona.COM

Date: September 7, 2009
Contact: Shannan Marcak, 928-638-7958


Grand Canyon, Ariz. – As the search for Andrew Brunelli continues, Grand Canyon National Park rangers seek the assistance of anyone who has visited the park within the last week and might have information on his whereabouts.

The search for Mr. Brunelli began on September 4 when the Coconino County Sherriff’s Office (CCSO) received a report that he had not checked out of his hotel (the Grand Canyon Inn in Valle, Arizona) when expected and that his things were still in the room. Further investigation by the CCSO led them to believe that Mr. Brunelli had intended to go day hiking at the Grand Canyon during his time in the area.

On September 5, the National Park Service received word that Mr. Brunelli might be in the park and rangers began searching parking areas near major trail heads on the South Rim. A short time later, a blue Hyundai Accent rented in Brunelli’s name was located in the Grandview Point parking area. With no other leads to guide the search, efforts are now focused on the Grandview-Hance area on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.

Yesterday’s search efforts consisted of aerial search operations over major drainages and rim areas and six teams of ground searchers covering trails and routes within the search area. In addition, missing person posters were distributed in local communities as well as to major bus and tour companies who frequent the park and the Grandview area.

Today, searchers will continue ground and aerial operations. In addition, two dog teams and searchers with technical rope and canyoneering skills will be joining the search. The dog teams will be focused on rim areas adjacent to the trail head where vegetation and steep terrain inhibit human searchers; and the technical searchers will begin traveling steep narrow drainages where a lost hiker could easily become cliffed out.

Park investigators are currently seeking the assistance of anyone who has visited the Grand Canyon within the last week and might have seen Andrew Brunelli. Mr. Brunelli is 43 years old 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 was last seen entering the park’s South Entrance station just north of Tusayan, Arizona at approximately 5:00 a.m. on August 31.

If you believe that you might have seen Andrew Brunelli on August 31 or thereafter, 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-

Date: September 8, 2009
Contact: Shannan Marcak, 928-638-7958


Grand Canyon, Ariz. – The search continues for 43 year-old Andrew Brunelli of Clayton, North Carolina, who was last seen on August 31 as he entered Grand Canyon National Park.

The search for Mr. Brunelli began on September 4 when the Coconino County Sherriff’s Office (CCSO) received a report that he had not checked out of his hotel in Valle, Arizona and that his things were still in the room. On September 5, the CCSO informed the National Park Service that their investigations indicated Mr. Brunelli planned to hike in Grand Canyon National Park while he was in the area. A short time later, a blue Hyundai Accent rented in Mr. Brunelli’s name was found in the Grandview Point parking area on the South Rim of the park. Aerial and ground search efforts began in the Grandview-Hance area shortly thereafter.

Yesterday’s search efforts included aerial search operations and ground teams searching trails, routes and drainages that can be reached from the Grandview and other connecting trails. In addition, two dog teams searched rim areas near the trailhead where vegetation and steep terrain inhibit human searchers; and technical ropes/canyoneering teams began searching steep narrow drainages where a hiker could have become cliffed out.

Today, aerial operations have been scaled back as the aerial search zone has now been thoroughly covered. Ground teams continue to search drainages and areas with dense vegetation. Two dog teams were inserted into the Horseshoe Mesa area, a popular day hike destination; and the technical rope crews are continuing to search steep drainages and cliff areas.

In order to gain a better understanding of Mr. Brunelli’s plans while he was in the park, investigators have been asking the public to call in if they have any information on Mr. Brunelli’s itinerary or if they think they have seen him within the last eight days.

Mr. Brunelli is 43 years old 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.

If you believe that you might have seen Andrew Brunelli on August 31 or thereafter, 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

Body found in Grand Canyon believed to be North Carolina man

by Jordan Johnson - Sept. 9, 2009 09:37 PM
The Arizona Republic
A body believed to be that of a missing North Carolina man was found Wednesday in Grand Canyon National Park, according to a press release.

The Coconino County Sheriff's Office received a notice on Sept. 5 that said the missing man, 43-year-old, Andrew Brunelli of Clayton, N.C., may have taken a trip to the Grand Canyon.

Rangers immediately located Brunelli's rental car parked in the Grandview Point parking lot.

After all major areas of the canyon were searched, National Park Service personnel began to scale back the hunt for Brunelli.

Helicopter crews were able to spot the body in a drainage site near Tonto Trail. The body was air-lifted to the South Rim, where it was transferred to the Coconino County Medical Examiner.

The National Park Service and Coconino County Sheriff's Office are working closely to further investigate this incident.