Montana News

University of Montana student missing in Grand Canyon National Park

Posted: Jan 16, 2013 10:07 AM by Mark Thorsell - MTN News

GRAND CANYON, AZ - Searchers have scaled back the search for a 21-year-old University of Montana student who has been missing in Grand Canyon National Park since Jan. 11.

Kaitlin Kenney of Englewood, Colorado still hasn't been found, and an extensive search by the National Park Service has turned up no additional clues as to her whereabouts, according to a news release from the park.

Kenney was last seen Friday at a river camp located near Tapeats Creek on the north side of the Colorado River in Grand Canyon National Park.

Rangers used the park's helicopter to search the river corridor and area trails for two days after she was reported missing. Park officials add that ground-based search and rescue teams thoroughly searched the accessible trails, beaches, drainages and backcountry areas in the vicinity.

Since no clues have been found, park officials have decided to scale the search to a "limited mode in which rangers and pilots will continue to search for clues when in the area," the park's Shannan Marcak explained.

Flyers with Kenney's picture and description are still posted at popular river trip launch and takeout points; and anyone who may have information regarding her whereabouts is encouraged to call the park tip line at (928) 638.7767.

Kenney is described as 5'5" tall, weighing 125 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes,and was last seen wearing a tan knee-length coat, hiking boots, rugged tan pants, a long-sleeved grey shirt, multi-colored scarf and black knit cap.

(photo courtesy Justin Kenney)