Family on Las Vegas, Grand Canyon vacation vanished on road trip, authorities say
Share and Follow

A trio of South Korean tourists disappeared during a road trip between the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas, according to Arizona officials.

Jiyeon Lee, 33, Taehee Kim, 59, and Junghee Kim, 54, were last known to be traveling in a rental car on Interstate 40 on Thursday, March 13, according to the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office.

When the family of three didn’t make their scheduled flight back home, a family member called the Korean Consulate General in Los Angeles.

The two people who died in the wreck were Juan Beltran Sanchez, of Chino Valley, Ariz., and Evelyn Davis, of Ganado, Ariz.

Tractor-trailer car crash in Arizona

Investigators wrote in a missing persons poster provided by the sheriff’s office that the family had rented a 2024 white BMW with California license plate number 9KHN768. (Arizona Department of Pubic Safety)

Officials with the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office told FOX 10 Phoenix that they are concerned that the vehicle’s GPS rerouted the family’s vehicle into a forest service road.

“It was our concern that because of the weather conditions on that day and that major accident, their GPS may have rerouted them. 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,” the sheriff’s office said.

The Coconino County deputies searched all corridors along I-40 within the area where the family’s rental vehicle was last pinged.

Entrance sign for Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona

Entrance sign for Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. A man will serve prison time after setting fire to a cabin inside the park, federal prosecutors said.  (Jim Lane/Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Detectives do not know if this missing family was part of the fiery pile-up, saying that it “is not known if this vehicle was involved in the accident.” The family of three was driving a 2024 white BMW with a California license plate, according to the missing persons’ flyer. 

Anyone with information about their whereabouts is asked to call the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office at 928-774-4523, 800-338-7888 or Silent Witness at 928-774-6111. The missing persons report number is S25-00828.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the Arizona Department of Public Safety for comment.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Wisconsin becomes the 36th state to limit cellphones in schools

Wisconsin Pioneers Student Focus: Cellphone Restrictions Now in Schools!

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin joined the growing list of states curbing…
FILE - Former Kentucky Gov. Martha Layne Collins is consoled after Kentucky Democratic Senate Alison Grimes gave her concession speech, Tuesday Nov. 4, 2014 in Lexington, Ky. (AP Photo/ John Flavell, File)

Trailblazing Kentucky Governor Martha Layne Collins Passes Away at 88

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Martha Layne Collins, the trailblazing first female governor…
Navy police officer charged in death of California police officer

Navy Officer Faces Charges in Fatal Incident Involving California Police Officer

In San Diego, 38-year-old Antonio Alcantar stood before the court on Thursday,…
Los Angeles Dodgers win World Series, beat Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 in 11-inning Game 7

Dodgers Triumph in Epic 11-Inning World Series Finale Against Blue Jays: A Historic 5-4 Victory

TORONTO — Will Smith’s home run in the 11th inning, following Miguel…
Ground stop issued at Newark Airport

Urgent Update: Newark Airport Ground Stop – What Travelers Need to Know Now

On Sunday morning, Newark Airport faced significant disruptions as a ground stop…
How to bring down your blood pressure without medication

Discover Natural Methods to Lower Your Blood Pressure Effectively

During a routine visit to her GP, Pauline Richardson was informed that…
LA police officers hit with fireworks, bottles amid celebration of Dodgers World Series win

Chaos Erupts: LA Police Clash with Fans Amid Dodgers World Series Victory Celebrations

Celebrations turned chaotic in Los Angeles after the Dodgers clinched the World…
Cruise ship allegedly leaves 80-year-old woman behind on island, daughter demands answers after death

Tragedy at Sea: 80-Year-Old Left Behind by Cruise Ship Sparks Outrage and Investigation

The daughter of an 80-year-old woman, who was discovered deceased after reportedly…