August 6, 2016Denise Germann, 307.739.3393

MOOSE, WY —At approximately 8 a.m. this morning, Saturday, August 6, Fauna Jackson was located in Grand Teton National Park. She was uninjured and transported to St. John's Medical Center for a welfare check. Jackson is currently in the care of Teton County Sheriff's Office.





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.





Vela also thanks Grand Teton Association and Teton County Search and Rescue Foundation for supplying food and drink for incident personnel.





History-

Teton Interagency Dispatch Center received a call at approximately 10 a.m. on Thursday, August 4, regarding a report of a missing person. The missing person, 16-year old female Fauna Jackson, a member of Groundwork USA, was working on a service project in Grand Teton National Park. Jackson is from Cinncinati, Ohio.





Jackson was last seen by her coworkers at approximately 8:45 a.m. near their work location in the park, on the east side of US Highway 89, southwest of Triangle X Ranch. According to statements by her coworkers Jackson did not return from a short bathroom break.





Rangers immediately did a hasty search of the area, with no evidence of Jackson. Ground search crews, aerial reconnaissance by an interagency helicopter, dog search teams, and vehicle and engine road patrols were initiated. Missing person posters were also distributed throughout the area.





The Wyoming Civil Air Patrol assisted the investigation with aerial patrols. The aerial patrols used forward looking infrared imaging (FLIR) to detect sources emitting heat on the ground.





The Groundwork USA participants were conducting trail work to assist in a trail reroute project. Groundwork USA is a national organization that assists to revitalize neighborhoods and transform communities. Teams are created to address environmental issues, enhance career skills, and share environmental awareness through conservation and restoration work.





This youth crew of approximately 20 members was working in the park for the past week. They have assisted with trail, vegetation and historic structure projects.





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





—NPS—