Family missing after driving through Grand Canyon winter storm
- Three family members, Jiyeon Lee, Taehee Kim, and Junghee Kim, were reported missing after driving from the Grand Canyon to Las Vegas.
- Their vehicle, a rented white 2024 BMW, was last tracked on Interstate 40 amidst severe winter weather.
- Authorities are seeking public assistance to locate the family members amidst rising concerns over their safety.
In Arizona, authorities are currently engaged in a search for three family members who disappeared after leaving the Grand Canyon. The individuals, Jiyeon Lee, 23, Taehee Kim, 69, and Junghee Kim, 64, were reported missing after they embarked on a road trip from the iconic national park toward Las Vegas. Their rented vehicle, a white 2024 BMW, was last tracked on March 13, 2025, at approximately 3:30 p.m., heading westbound on Interstate 40. At that time, inclement winter weather resulted in hazardous driving conditions. Simultaneously, the Arizona Department of Public Safety reported a significant multi-vehicle accident on the same stretch of highway, involving 22 vehicles, including passenger cars and tractor-trailers. There were a total of 36 people involved in this tragic incident, which left two individuals deceased and 16 others suffering injuries. While the specific connection between the missing family's vehicle and the accident remains uncertain, authorities are not ruling out the possibility that Jiyeon Lee, Taehee Kim, and Junghee Kim could be linked to the crash. As the investigation continues, the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office is actively encouraging individuals who may have seen the family or their rental car, bearing the California license plate 9KHN768, to come forward with any information. The last recorded GPS location of their vehicle raises significant concerns given the timing with the weather-related incident. Despite the ongoing search efforts, officials have stated they have no additional information to share at this point in time. The community remains hopeful for a positive outcome, trusting that tips from the public could help locate the missing family members. The distressing situation underscores the broader challenges of travel during severe weather conditions, particularly in tourist-heavy regions like the Grand Canyon where many families seek adventure, often unaware of the dangers that can arise from sudden changes in climate.