Searchers Find Body Of Missing Hiker

A body, presumptively identified as that of 69-year-old Robert Williams, was found yesterday by park search and rescue personnel in the Hermit Basin area of the park. On Tuesday, May 26th, rangers received a report that Williams was overdue from a Memorial Day weekend trip that included hiking in Grand Canyon. On Wednesday, after finding Williams’ vehicle on the South Rim, rangers began searching a broad area – from Hermit Basin to the South Kaibab area – that could easily be accessed on foot or via shuttle from the point where Williams’ vehicle was found. On Friday, rangers were able to narrow their search to the Hermit Basin area based on information received after issuing a public request for assistance to anyone who had hiked in the park’s backcountry during the Memorial Day weekend. On Monday, search personnel were once again in the Hermit Basin, using a spotting scope to check difficult to access scree slopes and cliff areas.  Based on information received from the spotters, search crews yesterday investigated an area a quarter mile south of Santa Maria springs and found Williams’ body about 200 feet below the Hermit Trail. His remains were transported by helicopter to the South Rim helibase, where they were transferred to the Coconino County medical examiner.