Chenoa Nickerson’s family breaks silence after hiker’s body is found – days after she was swept away in flash floods

THE family of hiker Chenoa Nickerson has broken their silence after her body was recovered days after she got lost in flash floods.

Over 100 people were rescued after monsoons hit the Havasuapi Indian Reservation in Arizona on Thursday causing sudden flooding.

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The 33-year-old had been hiking at Grand Canyon National Park with her husband Andrew when they were both swept away by fast-moving currents.

Three days after Andrew and other hikers were rescued, Nickerson’s body was found by park rangers.

“On August 25 at approximately 11:30 a.m., the body of Chenoa Nickerson, 33, from Gilbert, Arizona, was discovered by a commercial river trip near river mile 176 in the Colorado River,” the National Park Service said in a press release .

“Park rangers responded and recovered the body, which was transported to the rim by helicopter and transferred to the Coconino County Medical Examiner.”

‘DEVASTATING LOSS’

Her family also confirmed the news on a Facebook page set up for those hoping to keep track of those caught up in the floods.

Tamara Morales, Nickerson’s sister, described the family’s devastation saying that their “hearts are heavy with grief.”

“We regret to inform you that our sweet Chenoa has been found deceased,” she wrote .

“Our family would like to express our sincere and endless gratitude to the men and women of the National Park Service Search and Rescue team for their tireless, selfless, and courageous efforts.

“We are profoundly grateful for their dedication and hard work, which have impacted us in ways that words cannot express.

“We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has shown us unwavering support and compassion throughout this unimaginable nightmare.”

As the family continues to work through their “devastating loss” they have asked for privacy.

“Chenoa’s light will forever be a part of all of us, and we will ensure that her spirit continues to shine brightly,” Morales continued.

“Her memory will never fade, and we will honor her by carrying forward the joy and love she brought into all of our lives.”

FLOODING FEARS

As messages of condolences flooded in for the family, a park worker revealed a heartbreaking detail about Nickerson’s worries before the hike.

“I remember her coming in to check in for the hike,” Ciera Bravo, a worker at the national park, wrote in the comments to Morales’ post.

Our hearts are heavy with grief.

Tamara Morales Nickerson's sister

“She asked me how the weather had been and she mentioned rain coming in. She asked me to check the weather so I did for her.

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Facebook/ Andrew Nickerson

“She was concerned that it would flood. I reassured her that if there was any danger they would be notified.”

“Never will I tell another tourist that. Please always follow your heart. I had absolutely no idea we were getting that much rain. She will forever be imprinted on my heart,” Bravo added.

Nickerson was hiking about half a mile from the Colorado River when she became trapped by floods in a remote part of the region on Thursday morning, according to ABC affiliate KNXV .

In the hours after the other hikers and tribal leaders had been rescued, Morales took to Facebook to give an update on the search for her sister and revealed how Andrew tried to get help.

“Andrew reached out to his father via satellite phone on 08/22/2024 at 18:16 reporting that Chenoa and him were caught in a flash flood and that they were both swept away and that Andrew was rescued,” she wrote in a post on Friday.

“He said he is at a safe spot camping with a rafting crew who rescued him and that NPS SAR was on sight as of last night.”

Other hikers who were rescued on Saturday revealed how quickly the situation unfolded and left them in danger.

Shruti Chopra from North Carolina was hiking with her husband and knew they would get rain but had no idea that it would be a downpour large enough to cause flash flooding.

“It did not even occur to us that we were in danger,” the 34-year-old told CNN .

While they found shelter along with a family inside a cove, they were urgently told by a man on a mule, described as a Native American by Chopra that they must get to higher ground and fast.

“For the next three hours, we crossed rivers, formed human chains and hacked through the thorny bushes and cacti,” Chopra said before they were rescued by The National Guard on the weekend.

Several hikers found themselves trapped above and below Beaver Falls, one of the many popular blue waterfalls that tourists come to see.

However, the iconic blue waters turned chocolate brown during the flash flooding.

An investigation into Thursday’s incident is being conducted by the National Park Service and the Coconino County medical examiner.

Between July and August, it is monsoon season for the region with the Havasuapai Tribe’s website warning visitors of excessive flooding during this period.

“Although floods can occur anytime of the year, the monsoon season occurs from late in June, well into August. During this time there is a high risk of flash floods,” the website warns.

“Watch for rain and dark clouds especially in the south. Flash flooding can occur without warning and without any rain where you are hiking.”

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