American student: Brook Cheuvront found dead on table Mountain

Brook Cheuvront, a 20-year-old University of North Carolina student, was found dead after going missing during a hike on Cape Town’s iconic Table Mountain.

Cheuvront, who was in South Africa for an internship at the University of Cape Town, was reported missing on Saturday when her tracking app ceased updating and friends could not reach her.

JP Louw, a spokesman for SANParks, reported that initial search efforts by rangers and wilderness rescue teams were hampered by darkness, prompting the deployment of an aircraft the following day to aid in the search. Although the cause of her death remains under investigation, SANParks has opened an inquest.

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Cheuvront, a Morehead-Cain Scholar and the 2022 valedictorian of Avery County High School, was known for her academic excellence and athletic prowess as a track runner. Her family expressed their profound grief in a Facebook post, stating, “She was recovered. We are devastated. God help me and us,” said her father, Steve Cheuvront.

Authorities have reiterated the importance of hiking in groups, urging outdoor enthusiasts to avoid solitary excursions, especially in challenging terrains like Table Mountain. As the community mourns the loss of a bright young life, the incident serves as a somber reminder of the inherent risks associated with outdoor adventures.