Body of Missing Hiker Chenoa Nickerson Discovered Following Deadly Grand Canyon Flooding

Chenoa Nickerson, a 33-year-old woman from Gilbert, Arizona, was discovered deceased after being swept away by flash flooding in the Grand Canyon. Nickerson had been missing since Thursday afternoon when intense rainfall caused Havasu Creek to flood, carrying her downstream. Her body was found around 11:30 a.m. on Sunday by a commercial river trip near the Colorado River, approximately half a mile from the creek’s confluence with the river.

Search efforts for Nickerson, described as 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing 190 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes, had been ongoing since her disappearance. The search was concentrated in the Beaver Falls area of the Grand Canyon, involving ground, air, and boat teams. She was last seen wearing a black tank top, black shorts, and blue hiking boots. At the time of her disappearance, she was not wearing a life jacket.

The National Park Service (NPS) and the Coconino County medical examiner are investigating the incident. The area where Nickerson went missing received between 1 to 2 inches of rain in less than an hour, contributing to the severe flooding. Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs activated the National Guard to assist with rescue operations, which included evacuating trapped tourists and residents from the Havasupai Indian Reservation.

The Havasupai Tribal Council reported that all trails leading into and out of Supai were rendered impassable due to the storm. The flooding also caused significant damage to a campground near Supai, leading to its evacuation and closure. The Council emphasized their priority on ensuring the health and safety of tribal members and visitors.

The flooding also impacted local residents, with some, like Supai resident Rochelle Tilousi, separated from their families by the rushing waters. Despite the hardships, the National Guard managed to evacuate 104 people from the reservation by Saturday afternoon. Governor Hobbs expressed her concern for those affected and continued to monitor the situation closely, emphasizing the state’s commitment to the safety and security of its residents and visitors.