An American hiker, identified as 20-year-old Brook Cheuvront from North Carolina, has been found dead on Table Mountain in Cape Town, South Africa. She was reported missing after her tracking app stopped updating during her hike on Saturday, September 21.
Friends alerted authorities when they could not reach her, prompting a search operation that included park rangers and wilderness rescue teams.Cheuvront’s body was discovered on Sunday, September 22, in an area known as Devil’s Peak. The search resumed with the assistance of an aircraft after initial efforts were suspended due to darkness and worsening conditions.
The cause of her death is currently under investigation, and an autopsy will be conducted to determine the specifics.Brook Cheuvront was a sophomore at the University of North Carolina and a Morehead-Cain Scholar. She was in South Africa for an internship at the University of Cape Town. Her family expressed profound grief through social media, requesting that posts about her being missing be removed following the tragic news of her recovery.
Authorities have reiterated safety advice for hikers, recommending that individuals hike in groups of at least four to minimize risks associated with solo hiking.
Brook was definitely one of the smartest, funniest, and kindest individuals I have ever met. I’m grateful to have grown up with someone so special. It’s absolutely heartbreaking to say goodbye so soon. Rest easy, Brook.’
The search for Brook involved rangers, wilderness search and rescue teams, and trail runners, but was suspended late Saturday due to difficult conditions, according to Louw. The search resumed the next day with aerial support, leading to the discovery of the body. »
