In the fall of 2011, a family trip to the majestic Grand Canyon took a tragic and devastating turn, ending in the untimely death of 11-year-old Jace DeHaven. Jace, his younger sister Jersey, and their father, Anthony DeHaven, were visiting the national park from their home in Woodbury, Minnesota. The young boy was a vibrant and intelligent sixth-grader who was well-loved by his friends and family.
On the morning of October 3, 2011, smoke was seen billowing from the family's recreational
vehicle, which was parked near the entrance to the Grand Canyon National Park. First responders arrived to find the RV engulfed in flames. After extinguishing the blaze, they made the grim discovery of three bodies inside the charred remains of the vehicle. The victims were identified as Jace, his sister, and their father.
The subsequent investigation by authorities revealed a heartbreaking sequence of events. It is believed that Anthony DeHaven was responsible for the deaths of his two children in what was determined to be a murder-suicide. Evidence suggested that the father shot both Jace and his sister before intentionally setting the motor home on fire. He then appears to have taken his own life. The motive behind this tragic act remains unclear, leaving a community to mourn the senseless loss of two young lives. No arrests were made as the sole suspect was deceased at the scene.
