Human Remains Identified as Missing Texas Woman in Utah Canyon
- Human remains discovered in a Grand County canyon, Utah, have been identified as those of a Texas woman who went missing while hiking.
- The medical examiner confirmed the identification after the woman disappeared during an outdoor excursion with her husband.
- Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding her disappearance.
Authorities in Grand County, Utah, have confirmed that human remains found in a canyon belong to Maranda Ankofski, a Texas woman who went missing with her husband while exploring the Moab area. The Grand County Sheriff’s Office announced that the Office of the Medical Examiner identified the remains discovered on July 22, 2024. The sheriff's office expressed condolences to Ankofski’s family and friends, acknowledging the impact of this tragic news on the community. Maranda and her husband, Ray Ankofski, were last heard from on July 19, just before a severe thunderstorm hit the region. The storm caused flash flooding, which trapped numerous hikers in the area. In response, the Grand County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue team conducted a six-hour operation, successfully rescuing at least 20 stranded hikers from Grand Staff Canyon. Following the couple's disappearance, a search and rescue operation was initiated after they were reported missing on July 22. Authorities located the couple's UTV in the Steel Bender Trail area, which was believed to have been swept away by the floodwaters. Chief Deputy Mike Palmer indicated that the UTV was likely pushed down the wash and off a waterfall, with their belongings scattered over a three-mile stretch in the canyon. The investigation continues as officials work to piece together the events leading to the couple's disappearance and the subsequent recovery of Maranda Ankofski's remains.