The body of Sandarsh Krishna, a 26-year-old Arizona State University student who went missing during a trip to the Grand Canyon, has been found after a 10-day search, park officials said.
Officials from the National Park Service said Krishna’s body was recovered below the South Rim near Verkamp’s Visitor Center inside Grand Canyon National Park on May 9. Authorities publicly confirmed the identification on Tuesday after the body was transferred to the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office.
The cause of death has not yet been determined, and an investigation remains ongoing.
Krishna, originally from India, had moved to Arizona in 2024 to pursue a master’s degree in computer science at Arizona State University. He was expected to graduate this month and had reportedly been preparing for final examinations and a job interview before his disappearance.
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According to park officials, Krishna was last seen between April 27 and April 28 along the Rim Trail between Bright Angel Lodge and Mohave Point. Authorities believe he may have arrived at the park using a rideshare service or taxi.
The search had drawn growing public attention after family members appealed for help and expressed hope that Krishna would be found alive.
“He’s not the kind of kid who would hurt himself,” Krishna’s brother told local media earlier during the search effort.
Investigators had also sought information about a man who turned Krishna’s black backpack into staff at Bright Angel Lodge shortly after he disappeared. Authorities emphasized the individual was not considered a suspect but may have had information relevant to narrowing down search areas.
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The Grand Canyon receives millions of visitors annually and is considered one of the most visited national parks in the United States. However, officials have repeatedly warned that extreme terrain, cliffs, dehydration risks, and sudden weather changes can create dangerous conditions for hikers and tourists.
Krishna’s death has prompted an outpouring of condolences online from fellow students, members of the Indian diaspora, and Arizona residents, many of whom followed the search closely over the past week. Authorities said further details would be released pending the medical examiner’s findings.