Missing American hiker found dead in South Africa

The search for an American hiker who went missing in South Africa’s Table Mountain has ended in tragedy. Brook Cheuvront, a 20-year-old student from North Carolina, was reported missing after her tracking app ceased updates during a solo hike. She was in Cape Town for an internship with a non-governmental organization.

Cheuvront embarked on her hike around noon, but when her friends couldn’t reach her by phone and the app stopped providing location updates, they alerted the authorities. The initial search, involving park rangers and wilderness rescue teams, began swiftly but was suspended late Saturday night due to darkness and safety concerns.

On Sunday, a helicopter joined the search efforts, ultimately locating her body on the slopes of Devil’s Peak, a popular hiking area in Table Mountain National Park. Officials from South African National Parks (SANParks) confirmed that an investigation is underway to determine the circumstances surrounding her death. Police indicated that an autopsy would be performed to ascertain the cause.

Brook’s father, Steve Cheuvront, expressed the family’s heartbreak in a Facebook post, stating, “God help me and us.” Brook was a dedicated student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and was passionate about her internship in South Africa.

Despite ongoing concerns about safety, South African authorities have reassured the public that crime is not a significant issue in Table Mountain National Park. However, they have advised hikers to avoid going alone, emphasizing the importance of safety precautions in the outdoors.

The loss of Cheuvront is a profound reminder of the inherent risks involved in solo hiking, prompting discussions about safety measures for outdoor enthusiasts. As investigations continue, her family and friends mourn the tragic loss of a promising young woman.