Pearland couple Ray and Maranda Ankofski went missing while hiking in the Steel Bender Trail area of ​​Utah, authorities say

PEARLAND, Texas (KTRK) — A Pearland couple is missing in Moab, Utah, but their family isn't giving up hope.

Ray and Maranda Ankofski were visiting the area for the third time in as many years and were supposed to be back Monday.

Ray's sister, Judy Lamb, said the family had not spoken to them since Friday.

“We are all devastated,” Lamb said. “There’s no way to describe it.”

She said her brother and sister-in-law were avid outdoorsmen and had extensive experience hiking, camping and driving off-road utility vehicles.

A UTV they were driving was located in the Steel Bender Off-Road Trail area, but Ray and Maranda were not.

“It came back, heavily damaged,” Lamb said of the UTV.

Authorities also found items like the couple's cooler and rain jacket.

Complicating matters is that the area experienced heavy rains on Friday, forcing the Grand County Sheriff's Office to rescue 20 people in a single mission.

It is unclear whether the rain directly caused the Ankofskis' disappearance.

“We can only guess,” Lamb said.

One thing she doesn't do? Lose faith.

“We are not giving up hope,” she said. “We all pray.”

The Grand County Sheriff's Office said it is currently employing ground crews, helicopters, dogs and other equipment in its search.

Lamb added that community volunteers are also involved.

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