Body found in Grand Canyon was missing hiker, wife says, bringing flood
death toll to 3
[September 18, 2026]
GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, Ariz. (AP) — Human remains
found in the Grand Canyon this week were those of the last remaining
person missing after the deadly flash flooding in late August, the
victim’s wife said Thursday.
The discovery of Timothy Allen Smith brought the death toll to three
from flooding that devastated the Phantom Ranch area at the canyon
bottom and damaged the water pipeline serving the South Rim.
Smith, 53, was a pilot from western Wyoming's Star Valley. His remains
were found Monday near Crystal Rapids on the Colorado River that runs
through the canyon.
The remains of Smith's two backcountry companions, Brent Rosenkranz, 42,
and John Giusti, 46, both of Granbury, Texas, were found earlier.
Smith grew up in Granbury and lived with his wife in Star Valley Ranch,
about 40 miles (64 kilometers) southwest of Jackson.
He, Rosenkranz and Giusti were on a multiday hiking, fishing and camping
trip when flooding swept through the Grand Canyon.
During the two-day deluge, searchers used night vision and other
equipment to find people in need of rescue. They relied on the Grand
Canyon National Park's permit system and checked vehicle license plates
to track those still missing. More than 80 people were rescued.
Soon, only Smith was missing. In a Facebook video at the time, his wife,
Carrie, and their children thanked people for their support and prayers.
On Tuesday morning, Carrie Smith posted on Facebook that the family was
aware a body had been found a day earlier and asked others to pray with
them.
Smith confirmed in a Facebook post on Thursday that the remains had been
identified as her husband’s.
“My family has done a lot of waiting over the last three weeks … waiting
and hoping Tim (Daddy) would come home, waiting and wondering if the
remains found were Tim (Daddy),” she wrote. “We no longer have to wait,
Tim was found two days ago by the Rangers at Grand Canyon National Park.
Not in the way we had hoped, but we know that he was doing something he
loved with John and Brent.”
She added, “We know that these three men loved the Lord and were a
shining light for Him. The impact their lives had on others is still
being shown to our families daily.”
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This July 2026 photo provided by the Smith family shows Timothy
Smith during a family trip to Zion National Park in Utah. (Smith
Family via AP)
The Coconino County medical examiner confirmed Smith's identity, the
National Park Service said in a statement Thursday that thanked the
searchers and extended condolences to relatives and friends of the
three men.
The flooding began Aug. 29 during the summer monsoon, or rainy,
season when clear skies can quickly give way to thunderstorms and
heavy rain. A desert landscape can funnel water from a deluge into
sudden torrents that rage down previously dry gullies and canyons.
The rain fell on part of a North Rim burn area left after a
lightning-caused wildfire in July 2025. The fire destroyed the
historic Grand Canyon Lodge, cabins and other structures.
Burn areas can worsen flash flooding because there's less vegetation
to absorb runoff.
The flooding damaged a pipeline that supplies water to millions of
tourists and residents. Insufficient water caused all overnight
lodging to be halted until the pipeline could be restored. National
Park Service officials said recently that they expected to restore a
reliable water supply in the canyon in weeks — not months — after
determining most of a near-complete pipeline project was not damaged
during the flash flood.
Many hiking trails and lodging areas remain closed, and water has
been shut off in the inner canyon, prompting advisories that hikers
bring their own water or water filtration devices.
Another flash flood hit the canyon along Bright Angel Creek and the
Colorado River during a storm Wednesday, park officials said. No
injuries were reported. Authorities said efforts to minimize
personnel in the canyon before the storm, as well as flash flood
warnings, enabled crews to reach safety. Damage assessments were
underway.
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