Search for Texas couple turned into 'recovery effort,' office says

Lina Portman6 days ago

0 1 minute read

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

The office said Friday night that while search and rescue teams have not found the bodies of Ray and Maranda Ankofski, they are transitioning from search and rescue to body recovery.

Ray and Maranda Ankofski, a Texas couple, are believed to have disappeared in Grand County, according to authorities. Searchers plan to resume efforts Wednesday to find a missing Texas couple believed to have disappeared from an off-road trail outside Moab.

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

On June 21, the Texas couple went to the Steel Bender off-road trail but did not return as planned and their vehicle was found abandoned.

The Grand County Sheriff's Office told KSL TV on Wednesday that they found a pair of pants containing Ray Ankofski's wallet and ID within the search radius.

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