On June 17, 2016, a 52-year-old male named Floyd E. Roberts III vanished in the vast and rugged expanse of Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. An experienced hiker from Treasure Island, Florida, Roberts had embarked on what was planned to be a nine-day trek with two companions in a remote western area of the canyon known as the Shivwits Plateau. The group was navigating the challenging terrain under extreme heat conditions when they encountered a hill.
At this point, Roberts decided to take a different route around the hill than his friends, a choice that would tragically lead to him never being seen again. He was last seen near Kelly Tank, reportedly heading in the direction of Trail Canyon or 214 Mile Canyon. At the time of his disappearance, he was wearing a red long-sleeved shirt, blue jeans, multi-colored mesh Nike sneakers, and was carrying a large blue Lowe Alpine backpack.
After Roberts failed to reunite with his hiking partners, they reported him missing the following day. This initiated an extensive and intensive search and rescue operation coordinated by the National Park Service. For six days, ground crews from multiple counties, alongside aerial support, scoured a challenging search area of over 10 square miles. The remoteness and ruggedness of the terrain presented significant challenges to the rescue teams. Despite their exhaustive efforts, no trace of Roberts was discovered. Investigators found some footprints, but could not confirm they belonged to the missing hiker.
With no new leads or clues to guide the search, the large-scale operation was eventually scaled back, transitioning into a 'continuous, limited mode,' meaning rangers and pilots would continue to look for any sign of him during their regular patrols. Flyers with his description were posted in the area, but the passage of time has yielded no new information. The disappearance of Floyd E. Roberts III remains an unsolved case, a somber reminder of the unforgiving nature of the wilderness. He went into the canyon for an adventure and became another of its enduring mysteries, leaving behind unanswered questions for his family, friends, and the students who knew him as an inspiring teacher. The official investigation remains open.Last Seen: Jun 17, 2016
