Recently, rangers at the Grand Canyon National Park found the body of Leticia Castillo, a missing person from Albuquerque. This marks the third death at the national park since July 31. Castillo’s body was discovered 150 feet below an overlook on the canyon’s South Rim, and the park service is investigating her death along with the local medical examiner’s office. Additionally, on August 2, the body of a BASE jumper was found 500 feet below Yavapai Point. BASE jumping is banned in the Grand Canyon and across the national park system, with special permits required for this extreme sport.
In July, Indiana college student Abel Mejia also fell to his death near an overlook on the park’s South Entrance Road. The investigation into his death is ongoing. The park has seen an increase in dangerous incidents and fatalities this summer due to extreme heat and increased visitor activity. Between 2014 and 2023, an average of 17 deaths have occurred at the park annually. Hiking was identified as the most dangerous recreational activity in a National Park Service data review.
The Grand Canyon typically hosts between 2 million and 5 million visitors each year. Last year, an NBC News analysis found that Washington state’s North Cascades National Park had the highest fatality rate in the country, particularly among alpine climbers. These incidents highlight the importance of visitor safety at national parks and the need for caution when engaging in risky activities.
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