The body of a hiker was found off a trail in central Arizona on Thursday, some 16 hours after she was reported missing, Scottsdale police say, calling it a "heartbreaking development."
The department says an investigation into 31-year-old Hannah Moody's death is underway, though there are "no obvious signs of foul play or trauma at this point."
Hannanh Moody seen in an undated photo. Scottsdale, Arizona police
According to Scottsdale police, Moody's body was spotted at about 12:05 p.m. near the Gateway Trailhead of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve in Scottsdale. She was first reported missing at around 7:50 the evening before by friends who got concerned because they hadn't heard from her.
Responding officers found her vehicle in the parking lot. Attempts "to reach her by phone or ping her cellphone were unsuccessful. Officers began search efforts on foot, with drones and assistance from a Phoenix Police Department helicopter," Scottsdale police said.
The search went on until about 11:30 p.m., when it was suspended for the evening.
It resumed in the morning "with 20-plus officers on bicycles, on foot, with drones, and with the assistance of the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office search and rescue team and air unit," Scottsdale police said. "Other individuals showed up and assisted with the search efforts as well. The Maricopa County Sheriff's Air Unit located Hannah's body around 12:05 p.m., about 600 yards off-trail."
Scottsdale detectives and crime scene personnel are carrying out a thorough probe to try to figure out what happened to Hannah and how she died. The Maricopa County medical examiner's office will attempt to determine the cause of death.
Lurkerbot47 on May 23rd, 2025 at 13:31 UTC »
Last fall I read "The Heat Will Kill You First," which is mostly about climate change but uses the incredibly sad story of a family that died (dad, mom, baby, and their dog) during a hike on a hot day as an example of what heat does to the human body. It sounds like one of the worst ways to go.
Do not underestimate heat!
CouponBooklet on May 23rd, 2025 at 12:41 UTC »
I once took a friend on a hike near Tucson, around this time of year. They showed up with one of those airplane water bottles, maybe 6 ounces of water. People have no clue the risks they take with their lives sometimes.
Mrk2d on May 23rd, 2025 at 09:52 UTC »
According to Scottsdale police, Moody's body was spotted at about 12:05 p.m. near the Gateway Trailhead of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve in Scottsdale. She was first reported missing at around 7:50 the evening before by friends who got concerned because they hadn't heard from her.