Found Deceased AZ - Diana Zacarias, 22, Grand Canyon, 2 April 2016

[neesaki]

Here is a great street view from Pima Point, you can see the railing, and follow the road/path along the point to see that the railing is pretty continuous along the observation point.
https://goo.gl/maps/yyzPT4e5QSt

Now, if you keep walking to the west, past the shuttle bus stop, you can see the fencing continues, as does the overlook. It is one of the bigger overlooks along the Hermit Road.
https://goo.gl/maps/tTjpbmB8JMC2

Once you get to the edge of the observation point, that protective railing abruptly stops.
https://goo.gl/maps/SbDqnwRkBmq

Then all along the western rim next to Pima Point, the rim is easily accessible. If you look to the left there is a trail marker for the Rim Trail.
https://goo.gl/maps/hc5CDfFSSLH2

In fact, I continued down the Rim Trail to the west in street view and picked the point that looked closest to the canyon rim, and low and behold even in the street view, there is an older couple standing what looks to be inches from the canyon rim. Spooky.
https://goo.gl/maps/32iLW4GABwq

I even found a couple of user submitted "photo spheres" in Street View that seem to show people sitting right on or near the edge, off the Rim Trail, to the west of the overlook. These views are beautiful, and I can testify the photos don't do them justice - the real life experience is even more majestic and overwhelming... but one misstep, one mistake, and they would be over the edge.
https://goo.gl/maps/pmoPydEWfpP2
https://goo.gl/maps/7bQGrbXt3RR2

Oh my gosh, that older couple was right close to the edge, what are people thinking to do that ? Maybe their vision is impaired and they have a lack of depth perception? And thanks for the great photos.

 

[docbh]

You are both welcome. Honestly rather than leaning on the railing and going over accidentally, as tiny as she was, I would think it more likely she ventured along the rim next to the point, off the Rim Trail.

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[neesaki]

You are both welcome. Honestly rather than leaning on the railing and going over accidentally, as tiny as she was, I would think it more likely she ventured along the rim next to the point, off the Rim Trail.

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After reading about all these crazy, tragic selfie deaths, I'm beginning to think that very well could have happened to Diana.

https://www.rt.com/viral/349543-tourists-plunge-selfie-deaths/

[FONT=&amp]The selfie craze has resulted in a disturbingly high number of deaths – so far this year there have been more than 20 [/FONT]incidents[FONT=&amp] in which people died while taking selfies. India has the highest number of fatalities resulting from the trend.[/FONT]

[FONT=&amp]Oliver Park, 51, fell 100 metres from a cliff while posing for a photograph of himself jumping as if in flight in the Peruvian Andes.[/FONT]

And this. Why would anyone do that ? Is it some kind of social media contest or something ? It's horrifying. :scared:
[video=youtube;vyfJBYORrvQ]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyfJBYORrvQ[/video][FONT=&amp]

[/FONT]

 

[MaryLamb]

There is a very interesting book called Over the Edge: Death in the Grand Canyon written by a rafting guide and a medical doctor. It details all of the fatal accidents at the Grand Canyon--death by drowning in the Colorado River which runs through it, by falls, suicides, plane crashes, getting lost while hiking and dying of thirst, etc. Fatal falls are not uncommon. Venture out too close to the edge and you could fall 400 feet to the rocks below. I have been to the Grand Canyon a couple of times and rafted it once. It is a spectacular place and perfectly safe if you are reasonably aware. Hopefully the ME can give the parents some closure about this young lady's tragic death.

 

[docbh]

There is a very interesting book called Over the Edge: Death in the Grand Canyon written by a rafting guide and a medical doctor. It details all of the fatal accidents at the Grand Canyon--death by drowning in the Colorado River which runs through it, by falls, suicides, plane crashes, getting lost while hiking and dying of thirst, etc. Fatal falls are not uncommon. Venture out too close to the edge and you could fall 400 feet to the rocks below. I have been to the Grand Canyon a couple of times and rafted it once. It is a spectacular place and perfectly safe if you are reasonably aware. Hopefully the ME can give the parents some closure about this young lady's tragic death.

I haven't read the book, but I believe it is the source of the data for the arcgis map I linked above. My lonelyplanet guide actually recommended reading it before heading to the canyon.

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[allmybecsloveme]

I get that her falling seems most likely, but it would be very strange for her to text her mom back to say she wasn't coming home, freak her parents out, and then fall right after.

That all doesn't sit right with me.

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[LisaWL7TR]

I get that her falling seems most likely, but it would be very strange for her to text her mom back to say she wasn't coming home, freak her parents out, and then fall right after.

That all doesn't sit right with me.

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I think someone possibly found her camera and sent that text.

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[docbh]

I think someone possibly found her camera and sent that text.

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If the cell phone was found with her, it would make that less likely. I'm not sure we are ever going to hear more about this case though unless the ME rules it wasn't an accident or suicide. Unless she left a note, could be very hard to differentiate those two in this case.



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[LisaWL7TR]

If the cell phone was found with her, it would make that less likely. I'm not sure we are ever going to hear more about this case though unless the ME rules it wasn't an accident or suicide. Unless she left a note, could be very hard to differentiate those two in this case.



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Did they say it was found with her? If so I missed that. I was thinking if she fell trying to retrieve it or possibly taken a pic then it could have fallen farther down or in the open vs her not being seen.
I agree if there any updates it will be not much as the interest has passed it seems. So sad.

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[docbh]

Did they say it was found with her? If so I missed that. I was thinking if she fell trying to retrieve it or possibly taken a pic then it could have fallen farther down or in the open vs her not being seen.
I agree if there any updates it will be not much as the interest has passed it seems. So sad.

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No, they only said objects found with the body made them believe it was her and that the ME was investigating. Haven't heard anything else. I suspect out of respect for the family we may not.


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[LisaWL7TR]

No, they only said objects found with the body made them believe it was her and that the ME was investigating. Haven't heard anything else. I suspect out of respect for the family we may not.


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Ok. I am a fast reader and sometimes miss details. I am happy that she got to have this adventure but I am very sad...how it ended from what I know.

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[SophieRose]

http://www.ktbs.com/story/32816638/...s-thanks-supporters-during-months-long-search

Autopsy results confirmed late last week that the remains found in the vast canyon are that of the Natchitoches native. Officials believe Diana fell to her death while hiking, shortly after communicating with her family.

 

[SophieRose]

http://www.wafb.com/story/32816585/...community-after-remains-found-in-grand-canyon

Zacarias' family issued a statement asking for prayers. Miller said she was entrusted to be the family's spokesperson while they try to recover during this heartbreaking time.

"They were having to do the DNA because of decomposing," she continued. "What led them to believe that it was Diana were her personal belongings were in the area with her. Her backpack. Her iPad. Her cell phone."

 

[Elainera]

How very sad.

I don't think this was a suicide. If she had jumped she probably would have left her belongings on the ground on the edge. jmo

 

[LisaWL7TR]

http://www.wafb.com/story/32816585/...community-after-remains-found-in-grand-canyon

Zacarias' family issued a statement asking for prayers. Miller said she was entrusted to be the family's spokesperson while they try to recover during this heartbreaking time.

"They were having to do the DNA because of decomposing," she continued. "What led them to believe that it was Diana were her personal belongings were in the area with her. Her backpack. Her iPad. Her cell phone."

Cell phone, then I still wonder about that message that was sent about not coming home?

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[docbh]

Cell phone, then I still wonder about that message that was sent about not coming home?

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I assume she sent it. Hard to know if she simply meant she hadn't left for the airport yet, or she had decided to extend her trip, or something else entirely.


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[Ribbit]

Cell phone, then I still wonder about that message that was sent about not coming home?

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Is it possible that she sent it after falling but before dying?

 

[docbh]

Is it possible that she sent it after falling but before dying?

Given what I have heard about cell service inside the Canyon itself, I highly doubt it. I had trouble getting signal at some spots along the rim and I hear it is worse inside the canyon itself. Granted it was a busier season when i was there.

Also given the height of the fall, I doubt it was at all survivable.

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[LisaWL7TR]

Is it possible that she sent it after falling but before dying?

If she did that would be sad. I also wonder if she sent it joking..like it is so beautiful here that I'm not coming home?

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[Bethan]

If she did that would be sad. I also wonder if she sent it joking..like it is so beautiful here that I'm not coming home?

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Yes, my thoughts also, it's the sort of thing my well travelled children would say to me when about to leave a beautiful spot.


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