A family of three is currently unaccounted for following a winter storm and a major multi-vehicle accident in northern Arizona last week, as reported by local authorities. The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office has identified the missing individuals as Jiyeon Lee (33), Taehee Kim (59), and Junghee Kim (54), who were last seen on March 13. The three women were on a vacation trip from the Grand Canyon area to Las Vegas when they disappeared.
According to the department, the family’s rental car, a white 2024 BMW with a California license plate, was last tracked on Interstate 40 westbound at 3:27 p.m. The sheriff’s office mentioned that while a 22-vehicle crash occurred on I-40 that day, it is uncertain if the missing women were involved in the accident.
On the same day of the family’s disappearance, a fatal crash took place on the snow and ice-covered interstate in Williams, resulting in the death of two individuals and a subsequent fire that lasted over 20 hours. It remains unclear if the missing family members were linked to this tragic incident.
Authorities have conducted extensive search efforts utilizing K9 units and helicopters, but no leads have been found so far. Despite the lack of progress, there are currently no suspicions of foul play, as per the sheriff’s office.
The Korean Consulate has joined forces with the Arizona Department of Public Safety and the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office to aid in the investigation. An officer from the consulate has been dispatched to Arizona to assist in the search for the missing trio.
For more information, contact Jonathan Limehouse at JLimehouse@gannett.com.
