An American student who went missing while hiking on South Africa’s Table Mountain has been found dead, officials said.
Brook Cheuvront, from Newland, North Carolina, had been in South Africa for barely a month before her untimely death. Cheuvront, a Morehead-Cain Scholar at UNC, was doing an internship at a Cape Town NGO.
The 20-year-old student was reported missing after she left her accommodation around noon local time on Saturday to go solo hiking on Devil’s peak in Table Mountain National Park.
According to South African National Parks (SANParks), which manages the country’s national parks, a tracking app Cheuvront was using stopped updating, and she did not answer her phone.
According to a Facebook post from the woman’s father, Steve, she planned to be back at 6:30 p.m. local time.
“Please please. Let her be found,” he wrote. “The US Ambassador is aware. All resources will be sent. I may be flying over tomorrow.”
An initial search team of SANParks rangers, Wilderness Search and Rescue members, and trail runners scouted the area until late in the evening, to no avail. The search was resumed in the morning, assisted by an aircraft from Cape Town City.
Cheuvront’s body was found at around 2 p.m. Her body was evacuated by helicopter, police told local media.
“Plsee [sic] take down all post looking for brook,” her father wrote on social media. “She was recovered. We are devastated. God help me and us.”
The family made an official announcement on Monday.
“It is with deep sorrow that we announce the tragic, unexpected and accidental loss of our beloved daughter, Brook Ceclia,” it read. “She illuminated our lives and left a lasting impact on all who had the privilege of knowing her.”
Justice Desk, the NGO Cheuvront was interning for, also released a statement.
“Brook was a bright light, dedicated to making the world a better place. Her radiant energy and smile will be deeply missed by all who knew her,” the organization wrote.
“Our heartfelt condolences go out to Brook’s family during this difficult time. We will carry her memory with us as we continue our important work in the fight for justice and human rights.”
According to Morehead-Cain’s website, Chreuvront was a very active student. At her high school, she was the founder of the environmental club, captain of both the Science Olympiad and cross-country teams, and member of the marching band, varsity soccer, and distance track teams.
Morehead Planetarium, where she worked as a student employee, also offered their condolences.
“Among an array of outstanding qualities, her kindness, intelligence, and passion for others made her a valued member of Morehead and the Carolina community.”
SANParks said Cheuvront’s death remains under investigation.
“Further details about this incident will be provided as and when necessary.”
The agency released a separate statement on Saturday to dispel growing concerns about crime at Table Mountain National Park. “Such expressions are speculative and may cause unnecessary alarm,” the agency said, clarifying that the official crime statistics have been drastically decreasing.
Devil’s Peak Mountain, a popular tourist attraction despite its steep and challenging hiking trail, is notorious for its sudden weather changes, often accompanied by dangerous winds.
SANParks advises visitors to hike in groups, recommending groups of “four or more.”