India Tribune Newsdesk

Grand Canyon, AZ: The tragic death of 26-year-old Indian student Sandarsh Krishna has shocked both the Indian community and students across the United States. Krishna, a master’s student in computer science at Arizona State University, was found dead near the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park after being missing for nearly two weeks.

According to the National Park Service, Krishna was first reported missing on April 28 after he was last seen along the Rim Trail on Hermit Road, between Bright Angel Lodge and Mohave Point. Authorities later recovered his body on May 9 below the South Rim near Verkamp’s Visitor Center, close to the El Tovar Hotel area. His body was transported to the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office, where officials positively identified him.

Krishna’s death remains under investigation, and officials have not yet revealed the exact cause of death. Before his body was discovered, search teams found his backpack near Bright Angel Lodge. The bag reportedly contained clothes he had packed for a planned trip to Las Vegas after visiting the Grand Canyon.

Family members described Krishna as a kindhearted and helpful young man who was excited to graduate this month with a master’s degree and had already secured a job opportunity. “He is just a gem of a person,” a family member said while appealing for information during the search operation.

The incident has raised fresh concerns as another Indian student, Ansh Arora from Arizona State University, has also reportedly gone missing in Arizona in recent days, with search efforts currently underway.

In 2025, 11 people died in Grand Canyon National Park, park service statistics showed. Common causes of death at the 1.2-million-acre park.

(Compiled from news dispatches)