Search in progress for 3 missing women - Update, they have been found safe
Vehicle found near Granite Creek in Hoback Canyon
by Teton County Sheriff’s Office
Original post July 8, 2015 | Updated July 9, 2015
Update, Thursday, July 9, 2015, 10:00AM, the 3 women have been found: At 10:00 am, a helicopter spotted three individuals matching the description of Megan, Erin, and Kelsi Andrews-Sharer near the top of the divide between Horse Creek and Little Horse Creek in the Gros Ventre Wilderness, The helicopter landed and confirmed it was them. They're tired, cold, hungry, but otherwise healthy and happy to be on their way out. Their location was approximately 7 miles west of the trailhead where their car was found yesterday.
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Update, Thursday, July 9, 2015, 7:00AM: A large-scale search for three missing girls will continue today in Teton County, Wyoming, following a report to the Teton County Sheriff’s office on Tuesday, July 7 that they were overdue from a backpacking trip in the area. After an initial search by local officials, the vehicle belonging to Megan Andrews-Sharer, age 25, was located on Wednesday, July 8 at the Swift Creek Trailhead in the Bridger-Teton National Forest, approximately 30 miles south of Jackson. Megan’s sisters Erin, age 22, and Kelsi, age 16, were accompanying her on the trip. Search personnel were called in yesterday afternoon to begin canvassing likely locations where the girls may have hiked. Ground crews, dog teams, personnel on horseback, and a helicopter were utilized in the search efforts yesterday, with crews remaining in the field until late last night. Today’s search efforts will include additional county and federal resources from multiple agencies. Crews will focus on nine search areas south-southeast of the Jackson area in the Gros Ventre Wilderness. Weather permitting, two helicopters will assist in the search. They will be used for both area reconnaissance and for inserting high mountain teams into more remote areas. Teton County Sheriff Jim Whalen, serving as Incident Commander for the event, remains optimistic that the girls became lost in the network of the trails that wind through the area and will be found soon. "They are healthy, fit young women and were well prepared for this trip," Whalen explained. "However, despite their experience in the backcountry, they may have simply made a wrong turn." The girls left with appropriate clothing, a tent, sleeping bags, a water purifier, and other equipment for a multi-day trip. Over 60 people are assisting in today’s search efforts. Additional updates will be posted on the Teton County, Wyoming web site at http://www.tetonwyo.org.________________________________
(Orignal post: Wednesday, July 8, 2015, 4:45PM update): Teton County Sheriff’s Office and Teton County Search & Rescue, Wyoming have initiated a large-scale search for three females who were locally reported missing on Tuesday, July 7, 2015. County resources initially searched areas in and around Grand Teton National Park, with efforts expanding throughout the area earlier today. This afternoon, their vehicle was located near Granite Creek in Hoback Canyon. Search efforts then moved from Grand Teton National Park to south of Jackson.
Approximately 35 personnel from multiple agencies are canvassing trails in the Granite Creek and Swift Creek areas on the Bridger-Teton National Forest. Additionally, dog teams, horseback riders, and a helicopter are being utilized in search efforts. Persons not affiliated with the organized search teams are asked to stay clear of the area so as not to impede efforts.
The incident command team organizing and overseeing the search is supported by additional personnel from multiple federal and county agencies.
Additional updates will be posted on the Teton County, Wyoming web site at http://www.tetonwyo.org.
Media release source: http://www.tetonwyo.org/ph/docs/07_08_15_AndrewsSAR_1700.pdf
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Facebook post (Sarah Gammons Durant), July 8, 2015:
7/8 2:45 PM (CT) UPDATE: Megan's car has been located at a trail head by local sheriffs. They are working to put together search teams, and we will update the website as we have more information: www.findmeganerinandkelsi.squarespace.com.
IF YOU LIVE NEAR OR AROUND THE TETONS IN WYOMING (OR KNOW ANYONE WHO DOES) PLEASE CONTACT ME. My close friends Megan Andrews-Sharer (25) Erin Andrews-Sharer (22) and Kelsi Andrews-Sharer (16) were on a backpacking trip and should have gotten in contact by Sunday. The local sheriff is engaged but they cannot begin a search and rescue until the car is located, so the first step is to find this car.
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