Editor's note: Updates with details from a Facebook post by Sarah Beadle's husband, Scott Beadle.
A woman who was found deceased Wednesday near Phantom Ranch in Grand Canyon National Park died after feeling dizzy from heat exhaustion, leaving two children who were hiking with her in a safe location, and likely got lost while searching for water and help, according to a Facebook post from the woman's husband.
Park officials announced Thursday that they had found a body Wednesday near the Black Bridge that spans the Colorado River near Phantom Ranch and believed it to be Sarah Beadle, 38, of Fort Worth, Texas. Her husband, Scott Beadle, confirmed Sarah Beadle's death in his Facebook post and said the two children, their daughter and a nephew, were safe and reuinited with family in the park.
He wrote that the hikers had run out of water. "Somewhere along the trail she made a wrong turn and got lost," he added. "The park rangers suspect she died of heat exhaustion."
He said the children, ages 10 and 11, were found by another hiker, who gave them some water and escorted them to camp. At that point, search and rescue was notified.
Sarah Beadle was then reported missing August 1 after she failed to check in at the Bright Angel Campground, where she had a reservation. She was hiking down the South Kaibab Trail, and her backpack was found near the junction of the South Kaibab Trail and the River Trail. A park release said she was an experienced backpacker and hiker who last hiked at Grand Canyon in 2002.
"Sarah loved traveling with her family and sharing so many wonderful experiences with all of us," Scott Beadle concluded. "I thank you all for your continued prayers and support."
An investigation is being conducted by the National Park Service and the Coconino County Medical Examiner. The death was not considered suspicious.
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