From Grand Canyon Village, Arizona, the body of a missing hiker, Chenoa Nickerson, was discovered after she disappeared during a flash flood in Grand Canyon National Park. Nickerson, 33, was last seen near the Havasu Creek and the Colorado River junction. She was not wearing a life jacket at the time of the incident, according to the National Park Service.
Following her disappearance, a search operation led by park rangers eventually located Nickerson’s body in the Colorado River three days later. Sadly, she did not survive the ordeal. The Coconino County Medical Examiner took custody of her remains for further investigation.
The National Park Service, along with the Coconino County Medical Examiner, is working to determine the circumstances surrounding Nickerson’s tragic death. This incident occurred while Nickerson was hiking in the Supai Village area within Havasu Canyon with her husband. Although her husband was also swept away by the flood, he was later found by local rafters.
In response to the flash flood, 104 individuals, including tourists and tribal members, were evacuated from the Havasupai Falls area. The Arizona National Guard utilized a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter to airlift the evacuees to safety. This event marked the first flash flood to impact Havasu Creek in 2024, according to a park service spokesperson.
The area where Nickerson went missing is known for its stunning waterfalls and azure pools, attracting many visitors each year. The community is devastated by the loss of Nickerson and is committed to ensuring the safety of all individuals who visit the area in the future.