A body was recovered from the Grand Canyon on Wednesday and National Park Service officials believe it's that of a missing North Carolina man.

The search for Andrew Brunelli began on Sept. 4 after the Coconino County Sheriff's office received word that the 43-year-old Clayton, N.C., resident had not checked out of his motel in Valle, Ariz.

Further investigation led deputies to believe that Brunelli had intended to go day hiking at the Grand Canyon.

Grand Canyon rangers searched parking areas near major trail heads on the South Rim and discovered a rental car matching the description of one Brunelli had rented.

National Park Service officials say a search helicopter spotted a body late Wednesday morning in a drainage north of the Tonto Trial.

They say the male body was retrieved and transported to the county Medical Examiner's Office for positive identification and a possible determination of the cause of death.

Related Links

1. http://www.nps.gov/grca/parknews/news_2009-09-09_search.htm