Last Updated on September 23, 2024 4:13 pm
A 2022 valedictorian at Avery County High, and current student at UNC-Chapel Hill, was found deceased in South Africa on Sunday after she had gone missing.
Brook Cecilia Cheuvront, age 20, was found dead on a hiking trail on Devil's Peak on Sunday evening, according to News24 of South Africa. She reportedly went missing at noon on Saturday, after a tracking app she was using stopped notifying friends, according to SANParks spokesman JP Louw.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm Pojie told the news outlet, “The body of the missing hiker was found in an area which is part of Devil's Peak, and was retrieved by EMS helicopter.” The spokesman added that an autopsy will be conducted to determine the possible cause of death.
She was in South Africa for an internship at the University of Cape Town, according to CBS News.
Cheuvront's father Steve had posted on Facebook Saturday night about her disappearance, he followed up on Sunday morning with a post, “Plsee take down all post looking for brook. She was recovered. We are devastated. God help me and us.”
Avery County Schools Superintendent Jennifer O'Briant posted on the school system's Facebook page on Sunday night, ” Good evening, This is Jennifer O'Briant, principal of ACHS. One of our teachers tragically lost a loved one today. Out of respect for the family, the sporting events for tomorrow have been cancelled and will be rescheduled. The UNC Charlotte college tour for tomorrow is cancelled. We will have counselors and pastors present tomorrow at school for students who may need support. If students feel led to, please wear blue in support of the Cheuvront family. Thank you.”
