University of North Carolina student found dead in South African national park

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (WBTV) – A student of the University of North Carolina was reportedly found dead over the weekend after going hiking in South Africa.

CBS News reported that the student, 20-year-old Brook Cheuvront, was hiking at Table Mountain National Park in Cape Town when she was reported missing on Saturday.

A South African National Parks A (SANParks) spokesperson told CBS the search for Cheuvront began after a tracking app she used stopped updating and her friends could no longer reach her.

SANParks told CBS the cause of death was unclear and an investigation had been launched.

Cheuvront was a Morehead-Cain Scholar at UNC, according to the Scholarship website. According to a brief biography, she graduated from Avery County High School in Newland, where she participated in several clubs and sports. CBS reported that she was the valedictorian of her high school class and completed an internship in South Africa.

While authorities have not yet announced the cause of death, published on social media On Monday, he addressed “reports suggesting there are increasing concerns about crime in Table Mountain National Park.”

SANParks said crime had “decreased dramatically” over the past year and the “unverifiable reports” were “speculative and could cause unnecessary alarm that undermines valuable and successful efforts”.

The park administration's post made no reference to Cheuvront's case or whether she was likely the victim of a crime.

Park officials urge visitors to stay in groups of four or more, choose their routes carefully and begin their activities early in the day.

More than 1.7 million people visited Table Mountain National Park last year.

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