The Coconino County, Arizona, Medical Examiner's office confirmed this morning that a body found Friday is that of Jackson Standefer, the 14-year-old McCallie School student who went missing in Grand Canyon National Park last month.
According to a spokesperson with the National Park Service, the medical examiner was able to identify Standefer based on dental records.
Standefer was crossing a creek on April 15 when he and his step-grandmother, LouAnn Merrell, lost their footing and were swept away. Merrell is the wife of Randy Merrell, the co-founder of the Merrell Boot Co., a popular outdoor footwear maker.
The park said the body was found by a commercial river trip.
Park rangers spent days searching with ground crews and a motorized inflatable boat that was flown into the canyon. The park service also used a helicopter and an unmanned aerial system to cover areas that were inaccessible to ground crews.
The search was scaled back last week after no signs of the pair were found after five days of searching.
Standefer was an eighth-grader at McCallie School, but school spokesman James Tanner said Friday the school had no comment because it had just learned of the news. Standefer had been active in the school's outdoors programs, crew team and a youth Christian group, Tanner said.
Last week, a celebration of life service for Standefer was held at McCallie. Services were also held for Merrell, although she has not been found.
The two went missing during a hike from the North Rim of the Grand Canyon to an area known as Tapeats Creek. They were on a trip with Standefer's mother and Merrell's husband.
Tapeats Creek is in a remote area of the Grand Canyon that isn't frequented as often as other popular areas.
Experienced hikers say it's an arduous hike down the canyon that ends in stunning and unique views.