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Officials identify body recovered from below South Rim late last year
Body said to be that of Yoshikazu Yamada, a Japanese national who visited the South Rim last October

Yoshikazu Yamada. Passport photo.

Yoshikazu Yamada. Passport photo.

GRAND CANYON, Ariz. - The Park Service has released the identity of a man's body recovered from below the rim of Grand Canyon National Park late last year as Yoshikazu Yamada, a Japanese national.

Yamada was reported missing on Oct. 6, 2012. Witnesses reported him last seen getting off of a commercial tour bus near Bright Angel Lodge on the South Rim. He had been traveling with a companion and failed to return to the bus that afternoon.

Park rangers conducted an investigation and intensive search after getting a report of the missing man. Grand Canyon National Park's helicopter pilot spotted his body during a routine mission on Dec. 8, 2012. His body was located approximately 800 feet below the Abyss Overlook on Hermit Road, also known as the West Rim Drive.

Recent DNA tests led to the positive identity of Yamada. The Park Service is conducting an investigation into the death of Yamada. No further details are available at this time.


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