Update, 24 September 07:30am
The 20-year-old woman from North Carolina who was discovered to be deceased on a hiking trail at Devils Peak had an apparent fall on mountain.
Brook Cheuvront vanished on Saturday afternoon, prompting local authorities to mobilise efforts for her safe recovery.
The City of Cape Town participated actively in the search, with JP Smith, the city’s safety and security committee member, detailing their involvement on the second day.
‘We deployed aerial support, which proved to be a valuable resource in locating her. Unfortunately, it appears she suffered a fatal fall while hiking,’ Smith noted. He emphasised the dangers that hikers often overlook, warning that many tourists underestimate the risks involved in mountainous terrain.
The U.S. Mission in South Africa confirmed the young woman’s death, expressing condolences to her family and friends during this difficult time. A spokesperson conveyed, ‘We are deeply saddened by her loss. Due to privacy concerns, we will not be sharing further details.’
The mission reiterated its commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of American citizens abroad and has been collaborating closely with local officials and the victim’s family to address the situation.
Update, 23 September 10:30am
South African National Parks (SANParks) has verified that Brook Cheuvront, a missing hiker believed to be lost on Table Mountain, has been found dead.
Metro Emergency contacted the Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) Operations Room that a missing hiker on Table Mountain had been reported.
The hiker left her lodging at noon on Saturday to climb the mountain. Her friends did not hear from her after her departure, and the tracking app did not update following her departure from her home.
‘An initial search was conducted by SANParks rangers, Wilderness Search and Rescue members, and trail runners until late that evening when it was no longer practical to continue, SANParks posted on social media. ‘Unfortunately, she could not be located at the time.’
‘The following morning the search was resumed and conducted on foot. All agencies were once again dispatched but the search still proved unsuccessful.’
The City of Cape Town’s piloted aircraft was then also deployed to assist with the search and located the missing hiker’s body on the slopes of the mountain.
‘The circumstances around the hiker’s death are still being investigated and further details about this incident will be provided as and when necessary,’ SANParks added.
‘SANParks extends its sincere condolences to the family of the deceased during this difficult time. We also express our sincere gratitude to our stakeholders and staff involved in this operation.’
Update, 22 September 7pm:
The body of Brook, the missing hiker, was found by a search party around 2pm this afternoon.
SAPS Lieutenant Colonel Malcolm Pojie confirmed that her body was found in an area which forms part of Devil’s Peak and was retrieved by an EMS helicopter.
An autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause of death.
Update, 22 September 6pm:
Brook has reportedly been found, officials however have yet to confirm her condition.
Her father, Steve Cheuvront has taken to Facebook to issue a makeshift statement in which he pleaded for all posts concerning the search for Brook, to be taken down.
‘She was recovered.’
‘We are devastated,’ he ended.
Update, 22 September 3pm:
The father of the missing girl, Steve Cheuvront, has confirmed that the US Ambassador has been made aware of the girl’s disappearance and will provide necessary resources to provide relief where possible.
A helicopter has been assisting in the search, as a Facebook user shared a video of the helicopter circulating the area.
Steve further confirmed that he may be flying out to South Africa as soon as possible, to aid in the search of his daughter.
A young woman has reportedly gone missing after she went hiking on Devil’s Peak yesterday, Cape {town} Etc reports.
As shared in various social media groups, Brook Cheuvront went missing around noon on Saturday, 21 September. She was due to be home around 6pm.
Also read: Search ongoing for missing teens at Victoria Bay
She has reportedly been missing for over 12 hours.
The South African Police Service has reportedly been contacted and a missing persons report has been filed.
This is her last known description:
- Long blonde, possible ponytail
- Blue eyes
- Green hiking pants
- Lots of bracelets
- Blue backpack
On 9 September, Cheuvront posted on her Instagram profile that she was settling into her internship at the Justice Desk. The internship focuses on the Ntsika ye Themba programme, which aims to educate young boys on gender-based violence and toxic masculinity.
She arrived in South Africa on 19 August from the US and has been travelling across the country before she settled in Cape Town to start her internship.
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Picture: @brook_cheuvjaunts / Instagram
