‘Much needed closure.’ Remains of Texas outdoorsy couple identified, UT cops say
Nearly one year after an adventurous couple from Texas vanished while on an annual trip in Utah, remains of both of them were found and identified, officials said.
The couple went missing in June after a severe thunderstorm caused dangerous flash flooding near the Steel Bender Trail area in Moab, where they had been riding a UTV, McClatchy News previously reported.
The body of 51-year-old Maranda Ankofski was found shortly after they disappeared, but the location of her 58-year-old husband Raymond Ankofski was a mystery until his body was found along the Colorado River almost 40 miles from the site of their wrecked UTV in late March, Grand County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release posted April 3 to Facebook.
“At this time, the Ankofski family requests privacy as they grieve their loss,” the agency said in the post. “They also wish to thank the community and all law enforcement entities for their unwavering persistence in bringing them closure regarding their missing loved ones.”
Residents had coordinated search parties with the couple’s family in Texas through Facebook groups for locals, McClatchy News reported.
Several people commented saying they hoped the confirmation could finally bring some peace to the couple’s family.
“So sad, but much needed closure,” someone said.
This story was originally published April 3, 2025 at 6:07 PM with the headline "‘Much needed closure.’ Remains of Texas outdoorsy couple identified, UT cops say."