Three Korean women go missing after traveling from the Grand Canyon to Las Vegas

Three Korean women who were traveling around the Grand Canyon in the United States were confirmed missing on March 23.

According to the Coconino County Sheriff's Office in Arizona, three Korean family members—Lee Ji Yeon (age 33), her mother Kim Tae Hee (age 59), and Mrs. Kim's sister Kim Jung Hee (age 54)—went missing on March 13 while traveling from the Grand Canyon in Arizona to Las Vegas.

The last confirmed location of the family was on a highway on March 13. They were traveling in a 2024 BMW rental car, and authorities confirmed, based on GPS data from the vehicle, that they were driving on the I-40 highway at around 3:30 PM on March 13. At that time, a winter storm on the highway caused a 22-car pile-up that resulted in 2 deaths and 16 injuries. However, authorities have not found any clues suggesting that the pile-up is related to the family's disappearance.

The three missing individuals were supposed to return to Korea on March 17 after completing their trip, but when the family in Korea lost contact, they reported them missing to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

A spokesperson for the Coconino County Sheriff's Office told local media outlet KGNS, "While visitors from all over the world come to this area (the Grand Canyon), it's unusual for three people to go missing at the same time."

The spokesperson also added, "Since the 13th, there has been no phone communication, no credit card usage, and the last GPS data from the vehicle was recorded on the 13th, so the search is facing difficulties." The Coconino County Sheriff's Office also believes it's possible that the GPS navigation system failed to recognize the severe weather and directed the driver of the BMW rental onto a forest road. There is no evidence that the family was involved in any criminal activity.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, "We are aware of the incident and are providing consular assistance locally."

According to local news, there was an accident involving 22 vehicles on I-40 on March 13. There is no official confirmation of the three women's involvement in the crash, but the Arizona Department of Public Safety stated the weather-related collision resulted in two fatalities and 16 injuries. The names of the victims have not been released.