AZ AZ - Jiyeon Lee, 33, Taehee Kim, 59, and Junghee Kim, 54 Missing After Leaving Grand Canyon

[Snoop Sister]

This could be way out there ….but, could they possibly not want to return to Korea? Do they have any relatives in the US?

 

[Tower]

This could be way out there ….but, could they possibly not want to return to Korea? Do they have any relatives in the US?

I don’t think they could disable their rental car GPS. It was an awful storm, so it would not be a place to purposely ditch the car and disappear.

 

[mlhenn]

https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/22/us/south-korean-family-missing-arizona/index.html

Authorities are still working to identify possible human remains from the crash and “meticulously examine the vehicles and related evidence,” DPS said.

 

[ChatteringBirds]

This could be way out there ….but, could they possibly not want to return to Korea? Do they have any relatives in the US?

That occurred to me but then finding out they disappeared at the same time/area as this tragedy and the electronic data all shut off at that time is...too convincing for me, personally.

 

[slowpoke]

Graphic from:

‘실종 가족’ 흔적 못찾아…헬기·경찰견 투입 무위

그랜드캐년을 방문한 뒤 라스베이거스로 향하던 한국인 일가족 실종사건〈본지 3월 21일자 A-1면〉과 관련, 지역 셰리프국 등에서 다양한 수색 작업을 벌였지만 아직 이들의 흔적을 찾...

www.koreadaily.com

The article is in Korean. The first graphic is the original. The second graphic is from when I put it through Translate.

It shows how they could have possibly been redirected to Route 66.

 

[killarney rose]

I hope they have searched 66. If they are speaking of the original rt 66, In that area there are passable sections and impassable sections. And dry stream beds with no bridge and no warning there is no bridge. I’m not aware there are two 66 in that area?

 

[Unalienable Rights]

There is a sad update.


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 24, 2025

Joint Press Release: Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) & Coconino County Sheriff's Office (CCSO)

Update on Fatal Collision on Interstate 40 in Williams, Arizona

The Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) and the Coconino County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) are providing an update regarding the ongoing investigation into the fatal multi-vehicle collision that occurred on Interstate 40 near Williams, Arizona, on March 13, 2025.

Through continued investigation and collaboration, investigators have confirmed that one of the vehicles involved in the collision was a BMW SUV.

Additionally, as of March 23, 2025, investigators have discovered more human remains within the debris recovered from the crash scene.

All agencies involved are actively working together to determine whether the remains are those of the South Korean nationals believed to have gone missing in the area at the time of the collision.

The intensity and prolonged duration of the fire that ensued during the collision have posed significant challenges for identification efforts. Due to the extent of the damage, the process of identifying the remains requires meticulous examination. The Yavapai County Medical Examiner's Office is diligently working to ascertain whether identification is possible.

We understand the urgency and the emotional toll this uncertainty places on the families and the public. We kindly ask for patience and understanding as our teams continue to work with care and precision to bring clarity to this heartbreaking situation.

Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

https://www.facebook.com/CoconinoSheriff/posts/1044363897724687

 

[tarabull]

How awful!!!!

 

[Protectwomenandgirls]

Daily Mail article with some new info.

Family mysteriously goes missing after trip to Grand Canyon

Three women vanished after leaving the Grand Canyon on March 13, the same day a deadly 22-car pile-up occurred on a snow-covered Arizona highway.

www.dailymail.co.uk

The sheriff's office is pursuing the GPS re-routing theory.

According to the sheriff's office, GPS data showed the BMW traveling westbound on I-40 at exactly 3:27pm on March 13 - the exact same highway and same time where the massive crash occurred.

'It was our concern that because of the weather conditions on that day and that major accident, their GPS may have rerouted them,' the sheriff's office told Fox 10.

'And if you've ever traveled up in northern Arizona, when you get rerouted, sometimes GPS will reroute you out into a forest service road without knowing that weather conditions are harsh.'

Hope they've searched all of the backroads...there are so many! I travel with offline/downloaded motor vehicle BLM & Forest Service maps and still get lost. It's an absolute labyrinth. Apps cannot be trusted to direct you

 

[slowpoke]

There is a sad update.


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 24, 2025

Joint Press Release: Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) & Coconino County Sheriff's Office (CCSO)

Update on Fatal Collision on Interstate 40 in Williams, Arizona

The Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) and the Coconino County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) are providing an update regarding the ongoing investigation into the fatal multi-vehicle collision that occurred on Interstate 40 near Williams, Arizona, on March 13, 2025.

Through continued investigation and collaboration, investigators have confirmed that one of the vehicles involved in the collision was a BMW SUV.

Additionally, as of March 23, 2025, investigators have discovered more human remains within the debris recovered from the crash scene.

All agencies involved are actively working together to determine whether the remains are those of the South Korean nationals believed to have gone missing in the area at the time of the collision.

The intensity and prolonged duration of the fire that ensued during the collision have posed significant challenges for identification efforts. Due to the extent of the damage, the process of identifying the remains requires meticulous examination. The Yavapai County Medical Examiner's Office is diligently working to ascertain whether identification is possible.

We understand the urgency and the emotional toll this uncertainty places on the families and the public. We kindly ask for patience and understanding as our teams continue to work with care and precision to bring clarity to this heartbreaking situation.

Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

https://www.facebook.com/CoconinoSheriff/posts/1044363897724687

Thank you for bringing this update to us.
How very sad, indeed! Three members of the same family likely gone in a horiffic manner, in what was supposed to be a wonderful vacation in the US.
Their poor family back home in South Korea.

 

[Knox]

There is a sad update.


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 24, 2025

Joint Press Release: Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) & Coconino County Sheriff's Office (CCSO)

Update on Fatal Collision on Interstate 40 in Williams, Arizona

The Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) and the Coconino County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) are providing an update regarding the ongoing investigation into the fatal multi-vehicle collision that occurred on Interstate 40 near Williams, Arizona, on March 13, 2025.

Through continued investigation and collaboration, investigators have confirmed that one of the vehicles involved in the collision was a BMW SUV.

Additionally, as of March 23, 2025, investigators have discovered more human remains within the debris recovered from the crash scene.

All agencies involved are actively working together to determine whether the remains are those of the South Korean nationals believed to have gone missing in the area at the time of the collision.

The intensity and prolonged duration of the fire that ensued during the collision have posed significant challenges for identification efforts. Due to the extent of the damage, the process of identifying the remains requires meticulous examination. The Yavapai County Medical Examiner's Office is diligently working to ascertain whether identification is possible.

We understand the urgency and the emotional toll this uncertainty places on the families and the public. We kindly ask for patience and understanding as our teams continue to work with care and precision to bring clarity to this heartbreaking situation.

Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

https://www.facebook.com/CoconinoSheriff/posts/1044363897724687

Well I guess this update sadly leaves any doubt as to what happened to the three women. My thoughts are with their families as they wait for answers. What a horrible tragedy.

Now my question is if there are others who haven’t been discovered yet either? Maybe folks who live alone and haven’t been reported missing?

 

[priyaya]

There is a sad update.


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 24, 2025

Joint Press Release: Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) & Coconino County Sheriff's Office (CCSO)

Update on Fatal Collision on Interstate 40 in Williams, Arizona

The Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) and the Coconino County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) are providing an update regarding the ongoing investigation into the fatal multi-vehicle collision that occurred on Interstate 40 near Williams, Arizona, on March 13, 2025.

Through continued investigation and collaboration, investigators have confirmed that one of the vehicles involved in the collision was a BMW SUV.

Additionally, as of March 23, 2025, investigators have discovered more human remains within the debris recovered from the crash scene.

All agencies involved are actively working together to determine whether the remains are those of the South Korean nationals believed to have gone missing in the area at the time of the collision.

The intensity and prolonged duration of the fire that ensued during the collision have posed significant challenges for identification efforts. Due to the extent of the damage, the process of identifying the remains requires meticulous examination. The Yavapai County Medical Examiner's Office is diligently working to ascertain whether identification is possible.

We understand the urgency and the emotional toll this uncertainty places on the families and the public. We kindly ask for patience and understanding as our teams continue to work with care and precision to bring clarity to this heartbreaking situation.

Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

https://www.facebook.com/CoconinoSheriff/posts/1044363897724687

Wow they must have been one of the first cars

 

[Tower]

There is a sad update.


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 24, 2025

Joint Press Release: Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) & Coconino County Sheriff's Office (CCSO)

Update on Fatal Collision on Interstate 40 in Williams, Arizona

The Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) and the Coconino County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) are providing an update regarding the ongoing investigation into the fatal multi-vehicle collision that occurred on Interstate 40 near Williams, Arizona, on March 13, 2025.

Through continued investigation and collaboration, investigators have confirmed that one of the vehicles involved in the collision was a BMW SUV.

Additionally, as of March 23, 2025, investigators have discovered more human remains within the debris recovered from the crash scene.

All agencies involved are actively working together to determine whether the remains are those of the South Korean nationals believed to have gone missing in the area at the time of the collision.

The intensity and prolonged duration of the fire that ensued during the collision have posed significant challenges for identification efforts. Due to the extent of the damage, the process of identifying the remains requires meticulous examination. The Yavapai County Medical Examiner's Office is diligently working to ascertain whether identification is possible.

We understand the urgency and the emotional toll this uncertainty places on the families and the public. We kindly ask for patience and understanding as our teams continue to work with care and precision to bring clarity to this heartbreaking situation.

Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

https://www.facebook.com/CoconinoSheriff/posts/1044363897724687

This is so sad and seemed to be the most likely answer. But I’m gutted. Their poor family may at least get answers now.

ETA: I’m still somewhat stunned that it took this long for authorities to find any trace of 3 people. It’s devastating. I have never heard of missing 3 people, even in the prolonged, high heat of EV lithium battery fires. I’m sorry to be gruesome, but no fillings or bone fragments? I am still stunned they needed to know 3 people were missing before they found any sign of them.

 

[priyaya]

This is so sad and seemed to be the most likely answer. But I’m gutted. Their poor family may at least get answers now.

ETA: I’m still somewhat stunned that it took this long for authorities to find any trace of 3 people. It’s devastating. I have never heard of missing 3 people, even in the prolonged, high heat of EV lithium battery fires. I’m sorry to be gruesome, but no fillings or bone fragments? I am still stunned they needed to know 3 people were missing before they found any sign of them.

I think part of the problem is they had to clear the accident scene to reopen the road.
In that case no one could go through debris in an organized way as it was, they had to do all the work offsite to identify vehicles and remains.

Truly terrifying to think anyone had to go through this, but i can only hope it was fast and painless and the family will have some confirmation and peace soon.

 

[Jinkasaurus]

Very tragic story here. Cases like this cause me to become aware of the randomness of life. How we can be going along in one moment, our future mapped out ahead of us, and a second later, a reality we never imagined is upon us.

As a young child, I was hit by a car while crossing the street. All these years later, I still remember the moment I began running across... and then my next memory is hours later in a hospital. My mind was protected from remembering the actual event. Based on that experience, I always hope that in tragic incidents like this, the people have no conscious awareness of what has happened to them.

 

[Tower]

I think part of the problem is they had to clear the accident scene to reopen the road.
In that case no one could go through debris in an organized way as it was, they had to do all the work offsite to identify vehicles and remains.

Truly terrifying to think anyone had to go through this, but i can only hope it was fast and painless and the family will have some confirmation and peace soon.

Totally agree, but 11 days is a very long time not to find any sign of the remains of 3 people. It makes me wonder if there are more. RIP lovely ladies.

 

[ShyestButterfly]

I think part of the problem is they had to clear the accident scene to reopen the road.
In that case no one could go through debris in an organized way as it was, they had to do all the work offsite to identify vehicles and remains.

I thought of this too. Unfortunately clearing the road is a big priority not only to satisfy drivers but because backups create risks to the safety of drivers, emergency personnel, and the evidence left on scene. Getting the evidence out of the way as quickly and as thoroughly as possible took precedent, and preserving the integrity of that evidence is extremely difficult when it's been burned down to almost nothing, AND it's been snowing, possibly windy as well.

Regardless of how hot the fire was to burn this or that material, I'm not sure if anyone here has seen before-and-after pictures from house fires, but it's mind-blowing how almost everything becomes completely unrecognizable. In house fires there's the addition of plumbing causing water to mix everything into an ashy, crumbly sludge, and I can only imagine that the snow might have had a similar effect.

It comes down to shoveling a lot of small debris out of the road, and identifying that can't be easy. Perhaps all you have left of a person's body, not to get too morbid I hope, is a fraction of what it once was, that has to be identified in a lab someplace a hundred miles away to confirm it's human remains and not something inorganic, or roadkill, or somebody's groceries they had in the trunk of the car.

So this is why it can take a lot of time, I think. I'm no expert, but because I'm no expert, that's exactly why I don't really question the time it takes to take care of these things, unless the timeline is getting truly ridiculously long, and we're not at that point here. A handful of decades ago I'm not even sure these vehicles and remains could or would be identified at all.

Making an online return to a store has about seven steps, it takes months to put together a mediocre slideshow for a presentation at work, and so on. Sometimes it comes down to the logistics of it all. Meanwhile officers also have to receive and sift through tips they receive, and deal with the media from both the US and Korea lol. I imagine there's a lot to handle.

 

[Protectwomenandgirls]

Was this confirmed as an electric vehicle fire?

 

[GraceG]

Was this confirmed as an electric vehicle fire?

Their rental car was a 2024BMW, but they don't list what model and BMW does make several electric models. New Details Released About 3 Family Members Missing After Driving in Snowstorm from the Grand Canyon to Las Vegas

 

[Tower]

Was this confirmed as an electric vehicle fire?

I haven’t been following for a few days, but it was reported as burning for 20 hours. That confirms for me that a lithium-ion battery was probably involved, but I haven’t seen it confirmed.