Coconino County, Arizona
A former Arizona State University student who was reported missing after leaving her campsite in northern Arizona has been found safe, according to authorities.
Janelle Banda, 32, was last spotted on June 13 around 10:30 PM. She had been walking away from her campsite in Coconino County, specifically at a location known as “The Edge of the World,” situated near the end of Woody Mountain Road, which overlooks Bear Sign Canyon.
Initially, it was thought that Banda may have gone down to the nearby Side Canyon, but she did not return to her campsite. At the time she went missing, she was dressed in dark jogging pants and a black and white hooded sweatshirt.
The search efforts began overnight but did not locate her right away. The teams continued searching on Saturday without success, prompting the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office to call in additional resources to help.
According to the sheriff’s office, the search operation involved assistance from Arizona DPS Air Rescue, Coconino and Yavapai County, and search and rescue teams from Maricopa County. Despite extensive searching, no signs of Banda were discovered, and preparations were made to continue efforts on Monday.
On Monday, search crews resumed activities and found Banda around noon.
The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office Aviation Unit utilized a helicopter for the rescue, successfully hoisting her out. She was then flown to Sedona Airport, where she was taken to Verde Valley Medical Center for evaluation.
Banda’s family had been anxiously hoping for good news, initially bracing for the worst. They expressed overwhelming relief upon learning she was safe three days after her disappearance in the wilderness.
Janelle had been camping with her father, David, when she wandered away from the campsite on a Friday night for unclear reasons. Her family experienced immense distress during the search, but they held onto faith throughout the ordeal.
“Even when we hit our lowest points, we stayed hopeful,” Sarah Banda, her sister, mentioned. “We knew she was out there, and we’d find her.” Sarah later shared that Banda was located by someone rappelling in Bear Sign Canyon.
While details about Janelle’s injuries remain unclear, Sarah emphasized the importance of the rescue and their upcoming reunion. “I can’t wait to see her. My dad said she just wants to be with family,” she noted.
Through this terrifying experience, Sarah felt her bond with her sister deepen. “Honestly, it’s unimaginable to be without her. I’m just grateful she’s here now,” she said, appreciating the support and prayers from their community.
Yet, there are still many unanswered questions: whether Janelle fell, the distance of any fall, and the full extent of her injuries. Details are still being gathered.
