Home / Disasters and Accidents / Grand Canyon Flood Victim Found, Death Toll Rises to Three
Grand Canyon Flood Victim Found, Death Toll Rises to Three
17 Sep
Summary
- Timothy Allen Smith's remains identified, bringing death toll to three.
- Flooding devastated Phantom Ranch and damaged crucial water pipeline.
- Last week, another flash flood occurred along Bright Angel Creek.
Human remains discovered in the Grand Canyon this week have been identified as Timothy Allen Smith, the final person reported missing following severe flash flooding in late August. This discovery brings the total death toll from the incident to three. The flooding devastated the Phantom Ranch area at the canyon's bottom and caused significant damage to the water pipeline that supplies the South Rim.
Smith, a 53-year-old pilot from Wyoming, was on a multi-day hiking, fishing, and camping trip with two companions, Brent Rosenkranz and John Giusti of Texas, whose remains were found earlier. The flash floods began on August 29 during the summer monsoon season. Burn areas from a July 2025 wildfire worsened the flooding due to reduced vegetation absorption.
The damaged water pipeline halted overnight lodging and prompted advisories for hikers to carry their own water. Officials anticipate restoring a reliable water supply within weeks. Meanwhile, many trails and lodging areas remain closed. A separate flash flood occurred last week along Bright Angel Creek and the Colorado River, with no injuries reported.
