GRAND CANYON, Ariz. — A desperate search is underway in the Grand Canyon after a powerful flash flood swept through Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch area, leaving a Texas chiropractor and members of his hiking group among those reported missing or unaccounted for.
Dr. John Giusti, a chiropractor and father of three from Granbury, Texas, had been hiking and camping in the canyon when the flash flood struck on Aug. 29. His wife has since made a public plea asking people to pray for his safety.
“Please pray for Dr. John’s safety,” she wrote in an update shared through Whipple City Family Chiropractic.
The family said Giusti’s hiking group is among those currently reported missing and unaccounted for as search-and-rescue operations continue.
The National Park Service has been conducting search efforts throughout the affected area, including ground sweeps and helicopter operations. Officials are also asking the public to help identify people who may have been in the area when the flooding occurred.
Family Describes Dr. John as a Beloved Father
For Giusti’s family, the search has taken on an intensely personal meaning. His wife, Janet, described him as much more than a chiropractor and business partner.
“Dr. John is the heart of ChiroHabit, but above all, he is a deeply loved husband, father and pillar of our family,” she wrote.
Giusti and Janet are raising three daughters in Texas. According to his professional biography, he has practiced chiropractic care for 19 years and previously spent eight years as a partner at Whipple City Family Chiropractic in New York before moving to Granbury in 2020.
Outside his professional life, Giusti enjoys hiking, hunting, fishing, running and martial arts. Photos shared on his ChiroHabit business page also show him enjoying the Grand Canyon before the devastating flooding.
His family has said they will continue sharing official information as it becomes available from park authorities.
Grand Canyon Search Intensifies After Flash Flood
The flash flood began at approximately 2:30 p.m. on Aug. 29, according to the National Park Service.
The flooding caused extensive damage across Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch area. As of Aug. 30, 62 people had been evacuated from Phantom Ranch and the lower North Kaibab Trail, with additional evacuations planned. No injuries had been reported at that point.
The National Park Service is now asking anyone who knows hikers or backpackers who were in the Bright Angel Creek corridor on Aug. 29 to contact investigators.
That request includes people who may have been traveling along the North Kaibab Trail, staying at Bright Angel Campground or traveling through the area known as “the Box” north of Phantom Ranch.
Flood Destroys Bridges and Closes Major Areas
The force of the flooding caused significant destruction throughout the canyon.
Nearly all footbridges across Bright Angel Creek were destroyed, eliminating normal hiker access across the waterway. The National Park Service has closed Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Campground, the North Kaibab Trail to Phantom Ranch, Black Bridge and Silver Bridge until further notice.
The Colorado River was also temporarily closed to river traffic because of metal structures and debris that entered the river.
Officials have warned that additional thunderstorms and heavy rainfall could create more flash flooding, debris flows and rockfall, making search and recovery operations especially challenging.
46-Year-Old Man Recovered Near Colorado River
Separately, the National Park Service said recovery operations were completed for a 46-year-old man near Crystal Rapids along the Colorado River.
The Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office was at the scene. Officials have not publicly identified the man, disclosed his cause of death or confirmed whether his recovery was connected to the search for people who remain unaccounted for following the flooding.
That distinction remains important as investigators continue working to account for everyone who may have been in the affected areas.
Officials Ask Public to Help Find Missing Hikers
Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs has expressed support for the families affected by the disaster, saying her heart is with the loved ones of everyone unaccounted for after the flooding.
The Arizona Division of Emergency Management is coordinating with the National Park Service and Coconino County Emergency Management to support search and recovery efforts.
Anyone with information about people who may have been in the Bright Angel Creek corridor on Aug. 29 is urged to contact the National Park Service Investigative Services Branch at 888-653-0009.
The NPS is asking people providing information to share details such as a missing person’s name, approximate location, travel plans, group size, clothing or backpack description and when they were last known to be in the area.
For Giusti’s family, every hour brings hope as search teams continue working through the canyon.
Please keep Dr. John Giusti, his hiking group and all the families waiting for answers in your thoughts. What do you think about the ongoing search? Share your thoughts in the comments below.