Missing Teenager Found Alive In Grand Teton National Park

The teenager reported missing in Grand Teton National Park earlier this week has been found alive by search crews.

According to a Grand Teton press release, 16-year-old Fauna Jackson was found this morning at approximately 8 a.m. MST. She was uninjured. She was later transported to St. John’s Medical Center for a welfare check, and is now in the care of the Teton County Sheriff’s Office.

According to Teton officials, Jackson had changed her appearance by cutting and dying her hair; she also changed into different clothes. When law enforcement officers first approached her, she fled. From a Grand Teton press release:

Teton Interagency Dispatch Center received a report of a possible sighting of Jackson Friday evening. Additional possible sightings of her and follow-up activities by park law enforcement rangers and officers with Teton County Sheriff’s Saturday morning successfully located Jackson. She was found near the Snake River Overlook, approximately 3-4 miles from the point she was last seen. An early morning flight by the Wyoming Civil Air Patrol contributed to finding Jackson.

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Grand Teton National Park Superintendent David Vela said, “We are relieved and very grateful that Fauna has been found.” Vela commends all the individuals that contributed their time and talent in the great effort to find Jackson and the investigative work of the incident. Vela said, “Our deepest appreciation goes to our partners that assisted, including Teton County Sheriff’s Office, Teton County Search and Rescue, Teton County Emergency Management, Bridger-Teton National Forest, Federal Bureau of Investigation, volunteers, and the amazing park staff.

Vela also thanks Grand Teton Association and Teton County Search and Rescue Foundation for supplying food and drink for incident personnel.

Jackson was first reported missing Thursday, August 4. She was later identified as a crewmember on a Groundwork USA team performing trail restoration in Grand Teton. Yesterday, we reported a hiking boot belong to Jackson had been recovered. We also reported that, while the boot belonged to her, eyewitnesses did not believe Jackson was wearing them when she disappeared.

About Sean Reichard

Sean Reichard is the editor of Yellowstone Insider and author of Yellowstone Insider For Families 2017.

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