ENVIRONMENT

Search for Texas couple has turned into a ‘recovery effort,’ sheriff office says

Jun 29, 2024, 8:14 AM

Body of Texas man recovered...

Ray and Maranda Ankofski, a Texas couple, went missing in Grand County, according to officials. The couple believed to have vanished from an off-road trail outside of Moab. (KSL TV)

(KSL TV)

MOAB — The search for a married Texas couple who went missing east of Moab has turned into a recovery operation, according to the Grand County Sheriff’s Office.

On Friday evening, the office said though search and rescue crews have not found the bodies of Ray and Maranda Ankofski, they are making the transition from search and rescue to body recovery.

“Despite exhaustive efforts, including the use of advanced search techniques and resources, Ray and Maranda Ankofski have not been located,” stated the sheriff’s office press release. “… based on evidence at the scene (and) during the operation … the Grand County Sheriff’s Office is shifting towards closure for the family and friends of (the couple.)”

On June 21, the Texas couple went on the Steel Bender off-road trail. The two failed to return as scheduled, and their vehicle was found abandoned.

On Wednesday, the Grand County Sheriff’s Office told KSL TV they found a pair of pants containing Ray Ankofski’s wallet and ID in the search radius.

The office reported that rescue crews believe a recent flash flood could have caught the couple off guard and swept them away.

Read the full story at KSLTV.com

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Environment

Summertime activities at Park City Mountain Resort. Utah ski resorts are already setting opening da...

Shelby Lofton, KSL

Could a ‘Super El Niño’ deliver a big winter for Utah? Forecasters and resorts weigh in

Utah ski resorts are already setting opening dates for the upcoming winter season as meteorologists monitor what could become one of the strongest El Niño events on record.

2 days ago

The Great Salt Lake seen in Magna, April 21. The feds have awarded a California company a $100 mill...

Logan Stefanich, KSL

California company awarded $100M to develop critical mineral facility on Great Salt Lake shore

Great Salt Lake's northeastern shore was the site announced on Thursday for a commercial lithium extraction and refining facility.

2 days ago

The Babylon Fire is pictured near Blanding on Sunday, June 28. (Canyonlands National Park)...

Joe R. Wirthlin Jr, KSL

Babylon Fire closure area reopened after burning for nearly 2 months

The Babylon Fire reached 100% containment after burning more than 100,000 acres, prompting the U.S. Forest Service to rescind the special closure area for the Manti-La Sal National Forest on Thursday.

2 days ago

The commissioner of the Utah Department of Environmental Quality said there are "major gaps" in Uta...

Bridger Beal-Cvetko, KSL

Utah has ‘major gaps’ in regulating noise, temperature from new data centers, agency head says

An agency leader said there are "major gaps" in Utah's regulation of data center development, particularly when it comes to the impacts new projects will have on local temperatures and noise.

2 days ago

FILE: The Charles Hall Ferry in 2016. Citing diminishing use due to low water levels, Utah lawmaker...

Carter Williams, KSL

‘It’s run its course’: Utah ready to sell Lake Powell ferry as reservoir hits new low

Citing diminishing use due to low water levels, Utah lawmakers voted unanimously this week to begin permanently discontinuing the Lake Powell ferry.

3 days ago

The Babylon Fire burns in San Juan County in June. Utah's 10 largest fires this year have cost over...

Carter Williams, KSL

Utah’s 10 largest fires this year have already cost nearly $217M to battle

Utah's 10 largest wildfires so far in 2026, which account for the vast majority of the more than 537,000 acres that have burned this year, are estimated to cost nearly $217 million to battle,

4 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Whether you are chasing pristine beaches, fresh raspberry shakes, or endless water sports, this spo...

Bear Lake

Road trip ready: How Bear Lake became the go-to destination for Western U.S. travelers

Whether you are chasing pristine beaches, fresh raspberry shakes, or endless water sports, this sponsored guide—brought to you in partnership with Bear Lake —uncovers everything you need to plan the ultimate getaway.

How Harper Clinic's IOP is changing the face of mental health treatment in Utah....

Harper Clinic

A new standard of care: How Harper Clinic’s IOP is changing the face of mental health treatment in Utah

As demand for mental health care continues to rise across Utah County, Orem's Harper Clinic says it is trying to close the gap with a more comprehensive approach to mental health treatment.

The weight of depression is real. Many people spend years fighting it, adjusting medications, manag...

Harper Clinic

Breaking free from depression: How Harper Clinic’s TMS Therapy can help

Breaking free from depression: How Harper Clinic's TMS Therapy can help.

mental health...

Andrew Adams, KSL

Library discussions bring men’s mental health to the surface

Therapists say it’s common for men to repress things like trauma, grief, stress and anxiety. Now, a new weekly series of discussions aims to help men bring it all to the surface.

...

Bear Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau

Cozy up in Bear Lake: Discover the magic of a winter getaway

SALT LAKE CITY – The holiday season shines brightest when time slows down and loved ones gather. Gifts, decorations and festive music come and go, but shared experiences tend to last much longer. Research supports that idea. Dr. Theresa E. DiDonato told Psychology Today that vacations can strengthen relationships by creating meaningful time away from daily […]

...

Harper Clinic

Rewriting the path to healing: Inside Harper Clinic’s whole-person mental health model

OREM — A few decades ago, you’d have had a hard time finding a doctor to treat both your mind and body; And a century ago, you’d have been hard-pressed to find a doctor to treat your mind at all. Today, medical professionals are understanding more and more the undeniable connection between the body and […]

Search for Texas couple has turned into a ‘recovery effort,’ sheriff office says