A devoted father of three has been identified as the second victim in Saturday’s tragic flash-flooding at the Grand Canyon, with the search continuing for his still-missing friend.
Brent Rosenkranz, 42, was part of a trio of friends hiking, camping and exploring the national park when a torrential downpour started falling near the canyon’s South Rim, resulting in catastrophic flooding.
His friend, Texas chiropractor John Giusti, 46, was the first hiker whose body was found after the disaster. The third man in their party, Timothy Smith, 53, is still missing.
Rosencranz, also of Texas, was described by a family spokesperson as a loving husband and father of three boys who owned a martial arts studio and dedicated himself to mentoring young people.
A GoFundMe page set up by his sister, Sarah, has so far raised nearly $18,000 for Rosencranz’s widow, Elisha, and their children.
“There are no words that can truly express the heartbreak of losing a husband, a father, a son, a brother, and a friend in such a sudden and devastating way,” the fundraising page reads.
“Please pray. Pray for Elisha. Pray for her three boys. Pray for our entire family as we walk through this unimaginable loss.”
The cataclysmic flood unfolded around 2:30 p.m. Saturday, when intense rainfall sent torrents racing through the canyon. Dozens of people were ultimately airlifted from Phantom Ranch and the lower North Kaibab Trail.
Authorities said 82 people were rescued from the canyon, many of them by helicopter, while others managed to hike out.
Cadaver dogs are expected to be used in the coming days to aid in the ongoing search of the flood-ravaged area.
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