Drake Kramer, 21, went missing from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon on February 1, 2015. A geology student from the University of Texas at San Antonio, he was last seen near the Bright Angel Lodge, where his white 2007 Mazda 323 was found in the parking lot after he checked out that morning. Family members say he left Texas unexpectedly, texting that he had driven to California and then to the Grand Canyon; his final text said he loved his family and needed to be back with Mother Earth and set his soul free. His family described him as frugal, hardworking, and appreciative of nature, though there were indications he may have been emotionally fragile before the trip.

The National Park Service mounted an extensive search involving more than 40 personnel, ground teams covering miles of rim and forest, K-9 units, technical over-the-rim searches, and aerial surveillance. The search was eventually scaled back to a recovery mission, and no clues to Kramer’s whereabouts have been found. His disappearance remains an open investigation and a painful mystery for his family. If anyone had recent contact with Drake, saw him at the Grand Canyon around February 1, 2015, or has information that could help, please come forward.