Two of the three missing Korean nationals who vanished following a March trip to the Grand Canyon have been confirmed dead, according to DNA results released 71 days after their disappearance.
Burned Rental SUV Tied to 22-Vehicle Snowstorm Crash
The Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) announced on May 22 that DNA analysis confirmed the identities of 33-year-old Jiyeon Lee and her 59-year-old mother, Taehee Kim. Their remains were found in a burned white 2024 BMW X5 SUV involved in a multi-car crash on Interstate 40.
A third body was also recovered from the vehicle. It is likely 54-year-old Jeonghee Kim, Jiyeon Lee’s aunt, though that identification is still pending.
The family went missing on March 13 after visiting the Grand Canyon and heading toward Las Vegas. Their last GPS signal was detected near Williams, Arizona, on Interstate 40—the same location where a 22-vehicle pileup occurred that day during a heavy snowstorm.
At the crash site, investigators found the charred SUV with California license plate 9KHN768, which matched the rental vehicle used by the family. The Yavapai County Medical Examiner’s Office conducted DNA testing to identify the victims from the remains.
Consulate Informed as Third Victim Awaits ID
Bart Graves, spokesperson for the Arizona DPS, stated that the identity confirmation process for the third victim is still ongoing. He added that the Korean Consulate in Los Angeles was notified, and the information has since been relayed to the families in Korea.
This outlet first reported the disappearance on March 21, followed by an update on March 24, after the burned SUV was linked to the missing family.
BY HANKIL KANG [kang.hankil@koreadaily.com]
