SOUTH AFRICA. (THECOUNT) — In a tragic turn of events, an American student, 20-year-old Brook Cheuvront, was found dead on South Africa’s Table Mountain after going missing during a hike. Brook, a scholar at the University of North Carolina, had been reported missing on Saturday, Sept. 21, after leaving her accommodation to hike the iconic mountain around 12:00 p.m. local time. According to SANParks, South Africa’s National Parks authority, her body was recovered two days later, on Sept. 23.
The Search and Discovery
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The search for Brook Cheuvront began shortly after her friends reported her missing. According to a press release from SANParks, her friends became concerned when they did not hear from her after she set out on the hike. “Her friends did not hear from her since she left, and the tracking app never updated since she left her residence,” the release noted.
Search efforts intensified when the City of Cape Town’s piloted aircraft joined the search team. Eventually, Brook’s body was located on the slopes of Devil’s Peak, a rugged area of Table Mountain known for its difficult terrain. Police spokesperson Lt-Col Malcolm Pojie confirmed, “We can confirm the body of the missing hiker was found by a search party at about 2 p.m. on Sunday in an area which is part of Devil’s Peak and was retrieved by EMS helicopter.”
Investigation Ongoing
The cause of Brook’s death has not yet been determined. Authorities are conducting an autopsy to uncover the details surrounding her tragic passing. As the investigation proceeds, officials remain cautious about drawing conclusions. SANParks, in its official statement, expressed their sorrow and sympathy: “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.”
A Promising Life Cut Short
Brook Cheuvront was a Morehead-Cain scholar at the University of North Carolina and had been interning at a local university in Cape Town. Her academic excellence and dedication to both her studies and extracurricular activities had set her on a promising path. She had also excelled in athletics, being a track runner during her high school years at Avery County High School in North Carolina, where she was the valedictorian of the class of 2022.
Following the discovery of Brook’s body, her father, Steve Cheuvront, took to Facebook to share his heartbreak and request that all posts related to her search be removed. “Please take down all posts looking for Brook. She was recovered. We are devastated,” Steve wrote. Just the day before, Steve had posted a plea for his daughter to be found, stating, “Please please. Let her be found. It will be daylight there in 90 min. Search and rescue. The US Ambassador is aware. All resources will be sent. I may be flying over tomorrow.”
A Community in Mourning
The tragic news of Brook’s death has left a deep impact on both her family and the communities connected to her. In a post shared by Avery County High School on Sept. 22, the school expressed its sorrow, announcing the cancellation of scheduled sporting events out of respect for the Cheuvront family. “We will have counselors and pastors present tomorrow at school for students who may need support,” the post read. “If students feel led to, please wear blue in support of the Cheuvront family.”
April Cheuvront, a science teacher at the school, is listed on the school’s staff directory, further cementing the deep ties between the Cheuvront family and the community. The school’s gesture to cancel events and offer counseling shows the magnitude of grief and the community’s effort to support the family during this incredibly difficult time.
Unanswered Questions and Ongoing Investigation
As the investigation into the circumstances of Brook’s death continues, SANParks has stated that further details will be provided as necessary. The case has attracted widespread attention, highlighting the risks associated with hiking in challenging terrains and the devastating impact such tragedies can have on families and communities.
For now, those who knew Brook are left to mourn her untimely passing and remember the bright, promising young woman who had so much ahead of her. Her loss is felt both in the United States and in South Africa, where she was pursuing her passions and making a difference.
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