A 32-year-old woman who went missing from the Edge of the World campsite in Flagstaff, Arizona, on Friday, June 13, has been found.
Janelle Banda was “located alive and safe” on Monday, June 16, according to the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office. She was reported missing after walking away from her campsite with her father, David Banda.
While the sheriff did not provide any additional information, Janelle’s sister, Sarah Banda, told Fox affiliate KSAV that a member of the search team discovered her near the bottom of Bear Sign Canyon in the Coconino National Forest.
The Coconino and Pinal County sheriff’s offices collaborated on the rescue. Sam Salzwedel, a public information officer for the Pinal County Sheriff, told PEOPLE via email.
A Coconino County search and rescue team discovered Janelle on Monday, according to Salzwedel, who also stated that she was on steep terrain in a narrow canyon. Pinal County’s helicopter was ready to assist and hoist her out on our Huey helicopter.”
PEOPLE also contacted the Coconino County Sheriff for more information on the rescue.
Sarah said she hadn’t seen her sister as of Monday, but she told KASV, “I really want to see her.” I was told that my father spoke with her, and she stated that she simply wants to see her family.
She went on, “Truly, you’re wondering how you’re going, and how I’m going without my sister. But now that she’s here, I can appreciate every moment we have together even more than before.”
Janelle was last seen around 10:30 p.m. local time on Friday and declared missing, according to the Coconino County Sheriff’s original missing persons report. The original report stated that she “walked away from the camp with unknown intentions and has not returned.”
Janelle and her father had been camping at the Edge of the World campground, which includes terrain with “steep drop-offs,” according to previous KSAV reporting.
Prior to Janelle’s discovery, her father, David, told the outlet, “We were having a great time, but this is a very dangerous place. Everyone should be aware that they must exercise extreme caution when visiting this location. “The cliffs and canyons are extremely dangerous.”
