Editor's note: This updates with additional information from the park.
A woman missing in Zion National Park for nearly two weeks was found Sunday after the park received a tip. Shortly after searchers found Holly Suzanne Courtier, she left the park with her family without seeking any medical treatment.
The park release did not provide any details about the 38-year-old California woman's condition, or where in the park she was found. The park's acting chief of interpretation could not address either question, nor could she say whether Courtier had been lost or was simply camping out of the way in the park.
Park officials were tipped to the woman's location by another visitor who had spotted her and called in the information.
“We are overjoyed that she was found safely today. We would like to thank the rangers and search teams who relentlessly looked for her day and night and never gave up hope," the family said in a statement released by Zion officials. "We are also so grateful to the countless volunteers who were generous with their time, resources and support. This wouldn’t have been possible without the network of people who came together.”
Three days ago friends set up a GoFundMe page to raise money "to help cover the costs of her search and possible after care when she is found." As of Sunday afternoon it had generated $9,602 towards a $15,000 goal.
"Please continue sharing this page as Holly will need medical care in the days moving forward. She has no medical insurance to cover the costs and your donations will help," wrote Jaime Strong, the campaign's organizer.
Courtier, who was described as a fit, experienced hiker by her daughter in an interview with CNN, was last seen on October 6 when she got off a park shuttle bus not far from Zion Lodge at the Grotto trailhead in Zion Canyon, a deep, red-rock chasm in southwestern Utah. Searchers intensified their efforts this weekend, bringing in dog teams and a drone from Grand Canyon National Park to help in the hunt for Courtier.
The 5-foot-3, 100-pound woman had been touring national parks since losing her job as a nanny earlier this summer, according to her daughter. Although she went missing in October, the month has been dry and mild, with daily temperatures in the mid-70s and overnight lows in the 40s.
Comments
well said. I didnt know she had supplies. It sounds like she was indeed bugging out and tonality scrutiny 1 day later the hit her head story is in national headlines. Maybe to try and avoid some level of prosecution? Wait till she gets billed for services rendered!
some great comments above. Most notable..the experience hiker aspect. No cell! What happened to signing in and leaving a plan. Whether it was real and on the level or just the lack of common sense we won't know unless the authorities at large share info. It sounds like she didn't want to be found or just really bad luck and possible concussion. Would a cell phone powered off, damaged or out of signal matter? Maybe. But people who leave cell behind is on purpose most likely. Im glad she is with her daughter and family. Perhaps some healing will help her now. Best wishes all!
I think she had a water filter, any hiker worth anything always has at least a life straw..She was carrying a hammock,extra clothes etc.For a 4 hour hike..Her facts should be made public because public funds were spend on her..And her daughter saying her was in such bad shape,but just drives off with no medical attention.BS
It's fishy. The trail she was dropped off on has hundreds of hikers all day long. The river she was found near has a toxi algae. She likely would be very sick, if that was her only source of water for two weeks. Also, starting a go fund me account before she was found is odd. Would love to get more details.
lt is very strange not to take your cell phone on a road trip far from your home but I can see not taking a cell phone on a hike in Zion, especially in the canyon and especially if you don't typically take photos with it. My experience on three trips to Zion is that I lose coverage almost as soon as the shuttle leaves the visitor center and starts down the main road into the canyon.
A GoFundMe account are you joking? This is one crazy story hopefully the Washington county investigator will pursue the investigation and I would say either refund the money to the donors or give it all to the Washington county search and rescue I don't know what this family's thinking
https://www.abc4.com/news/southern-utah/sheriffs-sgt-raises-questions-in...
If she had hit her head and had been injured the NPS would have said so, as they usually do.
Maybe she didn't take a cell phone b/c she didn't want to be found. Maybe her phone had been taken from her by another actor and investigators don't want to day more at this time.
More to come for sure....