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Body Thought To Be That of Missing Hiker Found in Grand Canyon National Park

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Published Date

September 9, 2009

Body thought to be that of missing North Carolina man found in Grand Canyon.

A body believed to be that of a missing North Carolina man was retrieved from Grand Canyon National Park on Wednesday.

The body, thought to be that of 43-year-old Andrew Brunelli, of Clayton, North Carolina, was found outside of the area that rangers had been searching since the man was reported missing on Saturday, according to park officials. The search had been focused on the Grandview-Hance area below the South Rim, as Mr. Brunelli's rental car had been found at the Grandview parking lot. However, a co-worker who believed Mr. Brunelli’s plans might have been a great deal more extensive than his past history in the park -- one that revolved around short to medium day hikes -- had indicated led rangers to enlarge the search area Wednesday, a park release noted.

By Wednesday morning all of the high-probability areas within the initial search zone had been covered and in many cases re-searched by ground crews, dog teams and technical ropes/canyoneering teams. As a result, ground search crews had begun to scale back operations in the area. With fewer ground search personnel to support, the park’s helicopter was able to engage in aerial search operations beyond the original search zone.

Shortly before 11 a.m. the body was spotted from the air in a drainage north of the Tonto Trail and approximately two miles east of the South Kaibab Trail in the vicinity of Pattie Butte, park officials said, adding that the body was retrieved by helicopter via long-line operation (extended from a fixed line below the helicopter) and taken to the South Rim where it was transferred to the Coconino County Medical Examiner. There were no immediate details indicating how the man had died.

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Comments

Submitted by Ilex_Opaca on September 10, 2009 - 11:08am.

I just heard that this is definitly the missing man.

Condolences to the family.

Ranger Holly
http://web.me.com/hollyberry


Submitted by admin on September 10, 2009 - 1:02pm.

I am just devastated.. My condolences and prayers are with his family in their time of sorrow.


Submitted by admin on September 11, 2009 - 10:09pm.

I'm truly devastated that this was the final outcome. I know Andrew is home with the Father now. He is now where we strive to be. God Bless him and the family. My prayer is that the Brunelli family has peace in knowing that Andrew is at rest.


Submitted by admin on September 12, 2009 - 7:03am.

from clayton north carolina AJ SADLY MISSED YOUR FRIEND JERRY.


Submitted by Joanne on July 12, 2021 - 6:50pm.

So glad Andrew was finally found by extending the search. I came across his story on youtube Top Mysteries. My thoughts go to his family who must be devastated. So young at 43 too. Nowhere states what happened to Andrew though and I do hope he didnt suffer. Appreciate all that search a d rescue do. Amazing.


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