Arizona State student missing at Grand Canyon found dead
The National Park Service announced on May 12 that the body of an Arizona State University student who had been missing for nearly two weeks at the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park has been recovered.
Sandarsh Krishna, 26, was found May 9 below the rim near Verkamp's Visitor Center, which is on the South Rim's Rim Trail just east of the El Tovar Hotel, according to an NPS news release.
He was reported missing on April 28 and his last known location was along the trail, between Bright Angel Lodge and Mohave Point. Authorities placed him there between 4 p.m. on April 27 and midnight April 28, according to an earlier park service release.
Before discovering his body, the most promising piece of evidence retrieved was Krishna’s backpack, which contained the clothing that he had packed to continue the trip in Las Vegas. A male individual found the backpack and turned it in to staff at the Bright Angel Lodge on the morning of April 28.
When contacted by the Arizona Republic, part of the USA TODAY Network, Krishna's sister-in-law, Dr. Pooja Shivananjappa, said the family was not ready to comment on Krishna's death.
Krishna's death remained under investigation by both the park service and the Coconino County Medical Examiner's Office, National Park Service officials said. The Coconino County Medical Examiner's Office on May 12 did not immediately respond to a request from the Arizona Republic for Krishna's autopsy report.
Who was Sandarsh Krishna?
Krishna's family told the Arizona Republic that he was on track to receive a master's degree in computer science from Arizona State University this month and already had a job lined up for after he graduated.
He embarked on a last-minute trip to the Grand Canyon to celebrate the accomplishment. On April 27, he called his mother, letting her know of his plans to continue the trip in Las Vegas. That call was the last time a family member heard from him.
Shivananjappa described her brother-in-law to the Republic as an avid chess player and champion, as well as a black belt in karate. She added that Krisha was "a genius" who didn't need to study much to perform well on exams.
“He is just a gem of a person,” Shivananjappa said.
ASU said that it "extends its deepest condolences to Sandarsh’s family and friends during this difficult time" in a statement sent to USA TODAY.