A trip to Grand Canyon National Park that should have wrapped up a graduate career at Arizona State University has ended in heartbreak. A body found on the park's South Rim on May 9 has been identified as ASU student Sandarsh Krishna, 26, officials say. Krishna had been reported missing after a visit to the park at the end of April.
Search Focuses On South Rim Trails
Grand Canyon National Park rangers said they were alerted to Krishna's disappearance on April 28 and concentrated search efforts along popular viewpoints on the South Rim. According to Grand Canyon National Park, his last possible known location was along the Rim Trail off Hermit Road, between Bright Angel Lodge and Mohave Point.
Backpack Tip, Family Timeline And Reward
On April 28, park staff say a black backpack believed to belong to Krishna was turned in at Bright Angel Lodge. Rangers released a photo of the person who dropped it off as part of a public appeal for leads. The student's family later shared a detailed timeline of his movements and has put up a $5,000 reward for information that helps identify the tipster, AZFamily reports.
Body Recovered And Student Identified
FOX 10 Phoenix reported that the body was recovered May 9 on the South Rim and was later identified as Sandarsh Krishna. The family told Fox News that Krishna had moved to Arizona from India in 2024 to pursue a master's degree in computer science at ASU and had been scheduled to graduate in early May.
Investigators Still Asking For Public’s Help
Authorities have not released further details about the circumstances surrounding the recovery and say the case remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call or text the National Park Service ISB tip line at 888-653-0009, per Grand Canyon National Park.
