Missing NC student Brook Cheuvront found dead in South Africa

Brook Cheuvront, a 20-year-old student from North Carolina, was found dead after going missing during a hike on Table Mountain in Cape Town, South Africa. She was reported missing on Saturday when a tracking app she was using stopped updating, and her friends were unable to contact her. An initial search was conducted by rangers and volunteers, but it was suspended due to darkness. The following day, an aircraft assisted in locating her body. Cheuvront was a sophomore at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and was interning at the University of Cape Town. She was recognized as a Morehead-Cain scholar and had previously been the valedictorian at her high school. Her father expressed devastation over the loss on social media, highlighting the emotional impact on her family and community. The principal of Avery County High School announced the tragic news to the school community, offering support through counselors and encouraging students to wear blue in solidarity with the Cheuvront family. This incident has raised concerns about the safety of solo hiking, prompting South African authorities to recommend that individuals hike in groups of at least four. An investigation into the circumstances surrounding Cheuvront's death is currently ongoing, as officials seek to understand the events that led to this tragic outcome. The loss of a young life has left a profound impact on her family, friends, and the broader community, emphasizing the importance of safety in outdoor activities.