United States - June 13, 2025 Janelle Banda, a 32-year-old former Arizona State University student, was found alive after vanishing from a campsite at the Edge of the World near Sedona. She was last seen on June 13 at 10:30 p.m. Banda wandered from her campsite, where she was staying with her father, David, in the rugged Coconino County wilderness. She descended into a nearby side canyon and did not return, sparking a frantic multi-day search. The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office led the rescue, joined by Yavapai, Maricopa, and Pinal County Sheriff’s Offices, along with Arizona DPS Air Rescue. Search teams used ground searchers, dogs, and helicopters to comb the treacherous terrain. On June 16, a rescuer rappelling near Bear Sign Canyon found Banda alive at noon. She was dehydrated with minor injuries but had no broken bones or severe trauma, her sister Sarah Banda said. The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office used a Super Huey helicopter to hoist Banda from the canyon. She was flown to Sedona Airport and taken to Verde Valley Medical Center for treatment. Sarah Banda shared the family’s relief, saying, “It’s a lot. It’s so heavy, but now, it’s a good heavy.” The family had prayed for her safe return while preparing for the worst. The rescue was a miracle, with Sarah expressing gratitude for the tireless efforts of volunteers and agencies. “We were like, wherever she is, we will find her,” she said, eager to reunite with her sister. Banda, an Etsy store owner and avid hiker, had been spooked by something in the darkened woods, leading her to stray from the campsite. The Edge of the World’s cliffs and ravines posed a deadly risk. Video from a helmet cam captured the dramatic aerial rescue, showing the skill and bravery of the teams. Banda’s survival in the perilous canyon amazed her family and rescuers.