UPDATE: Missing teen found alive in Grand Teton National Park

UPDATE: 8/6/16 9:55 AM: A teenage girl who was missing in Grand Teton National Park has been found alive.

Law enforcement rangers and deputies from the Teton County sheriff’s office found Fauna Jackson around 8 a.m. Saturday morning.

Jackson has been taken to St. John’s Medical Center.

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.

Jackson changed her appearance by cutting and dying her hair, was wearing different clothes than when last seen, and when approached by law enforcement officials she fled. The details of the incident are under investigation.

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.

ORIGINAL STORY: On Friday Search crews found a hiking boot in the search area, and it has been confirmed the boot belongs to Jackson.

It is not believed she was wearing the boot at the time she disappeared.

Investigators will continue to evaluate additional clues gathered during the search efforts. Any and all scenarios are being considered and investigated.

More than 115 individuals participated in Friday’s search and investigation efforts.

Saturday’s search activities will be focused on lands managed by the Bridger-Teton National Forest.

This search area will include the Shadow Mountain area and terrain along the Toppings Lake Road.

Areas of the park will continue to be included with the search activities.

The search operations will include ground crews, aerial flights, mounted and ATV patrols, and assistance from Wyoming Civil Air Patrol.

UPDATE: 8/5/16 8:45 a.m.

The Wyoming Civil Air Patrol joined the search for a missing 16-year-old girl in Grand Teton National Park Thursday night. Aerial patrols used infrared imaging to detect sources imitating heat on the ground.

Additional crews were expected to join ground and vehicle searches Friday morning.

Fauna Jackson, of Cincinnati, Ohio was a member of Groundwork USA, working on a service project in the park. She was last seen by her coworkers at approximately 8:45 a.m. near their work location on the east side of US Highway 89, north of Triangle X Ranch. Coworkers said she did not return from a short bathroom break.

Park Rangers began a search of the area and found no evidence of the girl. Ground searches, an interagency helicopter, and vehicle patrols were initiated.

More than 100 people from the park, Bridger-Teton National Forest, Teton County Search and Rescue and the Teton County Sheriff’s Office have been involved in the search.

A grid search was being organized Friday morning.

Groundwork USA was conducting trail work to assist in a trail reroute project. It is a national organization that works to revitalize neighborhoods and transform communities. Teams address environmental issues, enhance career skills, and share environmental awareness through conservation and restoration work.

The youth crew of about 20 members has been working in Grand Teton for the past week. They have assisted with trail, vegetation and historic structure projects.

ORIGINAL STORY:

Grand Teton National Park is attempting to locate a teenager last seen at around 8:30 a.m. Thursday on the east side of US Highway 89 near Triangle X Ranch.

Fauna Jackson was last seen wearing a white hat, tan pants, and a green long-sleeve shirt that says “Find Your Park” and “Groundwork USA”. She may have a purple backpack.

She is 5’6″ tall, 120 pounds, with blonde hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Teton Interagency Dispatch Center at (307) 739-3356.