American hiker found deceased on Devil’s Peak
South African National Parks (SANParks) confirmed that the body of 20 year old American hiker, Brook Cecilia Cheuvront, was found deceased on Sunday September 22.
Provincial police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Malcolm Pojie confirmed that the body of the missing hiker was found by a search party at about 2pm on Sunday September 22 in an area which is part of Devils Peak and retrieved by EMS helicopter.
“An inquest was registered for further investigation by Mowbray detectives. An autopsy will be conducted to determine the possible cause of death,” he says.
Ms Cheuvront was a student at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and was an intern at the Justice Desk non-profit that is in Green Point.
A post went out on social media that said she was last seen at 12 noon hiking Devil’s Peak in the vicinity of Rhodes Memorial leading to the hiking trail on Saturday September 21.
SANparks spokesperson, JP Louw confirms with police that the missing hiker was found deceased on Sunday September 22.
Mr Louw says Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) Operations room was notified by Metro Emergency on Saturday September 21 that a missing hiker was reported on Table Mountain.
“The hiker left her accommodation around 12 noon to go up the mountain. Her friends did not hear from her since she left, and the tracking app never updated since she left her residence,” he says.
He says the 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.
Mr Louw says City of Cape Town’s piloted aircraft was then also deployed to assist with the search resulting in the location of 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,” he says.
Ms Cheuvront’s father, Steve Cheuvront through Facebook was making an appeal for his daughter to be found.
When he received the news, he posted, “Please take down all posts looking for Brook. She was recovered. We are devastated. God help me and us.”
Table Mountain National Park Management remind visitors to take note of the following safety tips:
- Do activities in groups. We recommend four or more.
- Choose your route carefully and stick to it.
- Allow yourself enough time - start early.
- Inform someone of your route and what time you are expected back.
- Always wear waterproof clothing, and wear walking shoes or hiking boots.
- Save the Table Mountain National Park emergency number into your phone before setting off.
- Table Mountain National Park Emergency Number is 086 110 6417. Wilderness Search and Rescue Number 021 937 0300 or dial 112.
