Three Vanished In The Grand Canyon — One Found A Month Later, Shaved Bald And Barely Alive
On May 7, 2019, park ranger Daniel Ooa noticed something alarming on his dispatch screen: a permit holder was overdue. The permit belonged to Emily Reyes, a 25-year-old from San Diego, who had registered for a backcountry hike with two friends, Cara Jensen and Lynn Cho. They were supposed to embark on a four-day trek starting May 3rd, with an expected exit at Marble Canyon Trail Head by 6:00 p.m. on May 6th. As the clock ticked past noon on May 7th, the absence of any contact from the trio raised immediate concerns.
The Last Adventure
The Grand Canyon is a place of breathtaking beauty, but its vastness can be treacherous, especially in the remote northeastern sector where the three women planned their hike. This area is characterized by loose rock, steep cliffs, and unmarked ravines, making it a challenging environment even for experienced hikers. Emily, Cara, and Lynn were excited for the adventure, having met through an online hiking forum. They shared a passion for exploring the outdoors, but little did they know that this trip would lead to an unimaginable ordeal.
The last confirmed contact with the group came from a text Emily sent to her mother on May 3rd: “Heading in. Talk in 4 days. Love you.” After that, their phones went silent. When Emily’s mother, Rosa, received no further messages, she began to worry. By the evening of May 6th, when the girls had not returned, Rosa reported them missing to the authorities.
The search began promptly, with rangers and volunteers scouring the area. They discovered the women’s campsite intact, complete with three tents, food supplies, and their smartphones neatly stacked in a backpack. But there was no sign of the girls themselves. Their footprints led to the edge of a limestone shelf, where they abruptly stopped, leaving investigators baffled.
The Search Operation
As days passed, the search expanded. Helicopters flew overhead, and search dogs were brought in, but the terrain proved challenging. The dogs picked up the scent of the women, but it led to the edge of the ravine, where the trail vanished. Ranger Melissa White recalled the eerie feeling of standing at the precipice, where the girls seemed to have simply ceased to exist.
By May 14th, Sheriff Roland Decker held a press conference, expressing the grim reality of the situation. “We have conducted an extensive search,” he said, “but at this time, we have not located the missing hikers or any indication of their current whereabouts.” The families of Emily, Cara, and Lynn were left in despair, clinging to hope as the search transitioned from rescue to recovery.
A Shocking Discovery
Then, on June 7th, everything changed. Michael Yazzy, a maintenance technician for the National Park Service, was driving along a rarely traveled service road when he spotted a figure moving slowly along the shoulder. At first, he thought it was an animal, but as he approached, he realized it was a woman—barefoot, bloodied, and with a shaved head.
Yazzy stopped his truck and rushed to her aid. The woman, later identified as Cara Jensen, was barely coherent. She mumbled that she needed to go “down” and drank water greedily from Yazzy’s cooler. He immediately radioed for help, suspecting she might be one of the missing hikers.
When paramedics arrived and transported Cara to Flagstaff Medical Center, her condition was dire. She was severely dehydrated, weighing only 97 pounds—down from her normal weight of 134. Her body showed signs of extreme neglect, with lacerations on her feet from walking barefoot over rocky terrain and severe sunburns covering her skin. Yet, the most shocking detail was her complete hair loss, a condition that baffled doctors.
Fragments of Memory
As Cara began to regain consciousness, investigators sought to piece together what had happened during the 35 days she was missing. Detective Maria Santos conducted the first interview, asking Cara about her last memories. Cara recounted the hike, mentioning that they had encountered a man who led them into a narrow gorge under the pretense of showing them a hidden water source.
According to Cara, the man had forced them into a cave, where he began a twisted ritual of control and abuse. She described how Irma and Regina had been taken one by one, their screams echoing as they were dragged away. Cara’s fragmented memories painted a terrifying picture, but they were inconsistent and left many questions unanswered.
Detectives quickly launched a search for the mysterious man, but despite extensive efforts, no trace of him was found. The investigation took a dark turn as inconsistencies in Cara’s story began to emerge. Forensic evidence suggested that she had been lying about her captivity, leading investigators to question her role in the events that transpired.
The Unraveling
As detectives delved deeper into Cara’s background, they uncovered disturbing details. A diary revealed her struggles with feelings of abandonment and betrayal as her friends prepared to leave for college. Her writings hinted at a desire to keep her friends close, even at the cost of their lives.
The investigation took a shocking twist when it was discovered that Cara had purchased prescription sleeping pills just days before the hike. This revelation raised questions about her true intentions during the trip. Had she orchestrated the entire ordeal?
When confronted with the evidence, Cara displayed an eerie calmness, revealing a chilling detachment from her actions. During her interrogation, she admitted that her decision to harm her friends was premeditated, born from a fear of losing them to the outside world.
The Trial
The trial of Cara Jensen captivated the nation. The courtroom was filled with reporters, and the families of Emily Reyes and Lynn Cho sat in the front row, their hearts heavy with grief and confusion. As the prosecution presented evidence, including Cara’s diary and the items found in the canyon, it became clear that her survival was a testament to her resilience, but also to her complex psyche.
The defense attempted to argue that Cara was mentally unstable, but the evidence showed a calculated and methodical approach to her actions. The jury was faced with the difficult decision of determining whether Cara was a victim or a perpetrator of a heinous crime.
As the trial progressed, the emotional weight of the case became palpable. The families of the victims shared their heartbreak, and the courtroom echoed with the pain of loss. In the end, the jury found Cara guilty of two counts of murder and one count of conspiracy. The judge sentenced her to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Life After the Canyon
The aftermath of the trial left a profound impact on the community. The story of Emily and Lynn became a cautionary tale, a reminder of the darkness that can lurk in even the most beautiful places. The Grand Canyon, once a symbol of adventure and exploration, now bore the weight of tragedy.
As for Cara Jensen, her life in prison became a reflection of the choices she had made. Behind bars, she faced the consequences of her actions, grappling with the reality of what she had done. The darkness that had once consumed her now served as a constant reminder of the lives she had shattered.
Oscar Grant’s family established a foundation in memory of the girls, focusing on outdoor safety and mental health awareness. They aimed to ensure that no family would have to endure the pain they experienced, advocating for better resources and support for those affected by similar tragedies.
Conclusion
The haunting tale of Emily Reyes, Cara Jensen, and Lynn Cho serves as a chilling reminder of the complexities of human relationships and the darkness that can reside within. It underscores the importance of vigilance and the need to address mental health issues, especially among young people navigating the challenges of growing up.
As the Grand Canyon stands tall, its majestic beauty now intertwined with a tragic history, the story of these three friends remains etched in the hearts of those who remember. It is a story of survival, betrayal, and the haunting question of how far one might go to hold onto the past. In the end, the canyon continues to whisper its secrets, reminding us that even in the most breathtaking landscapes, shadows can linger, waiting to be uncovered.
