A 20-year-old student from North Carolina, who was studying in South Africa, was found dead a day after she was reported missing during a hike on Table Mountain in Cape Town. The student, Brook Cheuvront, was reported missing on Saturday when she ceased communication with her friends and could not be traced on a tracking app, according to a representative from SANPark, the organization responsible for managing the mountain.
Cheuvront’s disappearance prompted a search operation involving Morehead-Cain Rangers and trail runners, which continued until late Saturday. However, due to practicality issues, the search was halted. The following day, an aircraft was deployed to aid in the search, which led to the discovery of Cheuvront’s body.
Steve Cheuvront, Brook’s father, confirmed the tragic news. He had intended to travel from North Carolina to assist in the search for his daughter. The family is reportedly devastated by the loss, with Steve expressing his grief and seeking divine assistance to cope with the tragedy.
The circumstances surrounding Cheuvront’s death remain unclear, prompting authorities to open an investigation. Cheuvront was a sophomore at the University of North Carolina and was in South Africa for an internship at the University of Cape Town. The young woman, originally from Newland, North Carolina, was also the 2022 valedictorian at Avery County High School, where she was a track runner.
In response to suggestions of increasing crime rates at Table Mountain, SANParks issued a statement on social media. The organization dismissed these claims as speculative, stating that they could cause unnecessary alarm and undermine successful efforts to maintain safety in the area.