Texas Chiropractor, Group Missing After Grand Canyon Flood

A flash flood has caused concern in the Grand Canyon, with several people, including a Texas chiropractor, reported missing. Dr. John Giusti, a chiropractor from Granbury, Texas, was on a hiking and camping trip in the canyon when floodwaters swept through Bright Angel Canyon and Phantom Ranch on August 29. His wife issued a public plea for his safety through Whipple City Family Chiropractic, urging prayers for her husband and his hiking group.

According to the family’s update, search operations by National Park Service teams are ongoing. The teams are conducting ground and air sweeps across the canyon area to locate the missing individuals.

Giusti’s wife requested the ChiroHabit community to keep them in their thoughts, promising to share official updates as they are confirmed by park authorities.

The National Park Service is working to locate approximately 15 individuals but has not publicly identified them, including Dr. Giusti. NPS is asking for information from those who were in the Bright Angel Creek corridor on August 29 or had camping reservations there.

Separately, recovery operations were completed for a 46-year-old man near Crystal Rapids along the Colorado River, although no connection to the current search efforts was confirmed.

The flash flood began around 2:30 p.m. on August 29. As of Sunday morning, 62 people have been evacuated from Phantom Ranch and nearby areas, without any injuries reported. Bridges across Bright Angel Creek were destroyed, forcing the closure of several trails and campgrounds in the area.

Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs expressed her condolences to the families and loved ones of the unaccounted individuals. She stated that emergency management teams are actively supporting the search and recovery efforts.

For information regarding people in the affected area, contact the National Park Service Investigative Services Branch at 888-653-0009 or [email protected].