Missing hiker found dead in Arizona nature preserve, police say
A hiker last seen in a nature preserve on the outskirts of Phoenix was found dead, authorities announced May 22.
Hannah Moody, 31, was discovered around 12:05 p.m. local time by the Maricopa County Sheriff's Air Unit about 600 yards off-trail from the parking lot of the Gateway Trailhead at the McDowell Sonoran Preserve in Scottsdale, according to a statement provided to Paste BN from the Scottsdale Police Department.
Scottsdale Police described the disappearance as "unexpected and uncharacteristic," in an X post made just after 8:30 a.m. May 22.
The department said in the statement that "there are no obvious signs of foul play or trauma."
The Scottsdale Police Department will lead the investigation and the Maricopa County Office of the Medical Examiner will determine the cause of death.
Search prompted by concerned friends
Moody was first reported missing around 7:50 p.m. on May 21, according to the department, and a search effort began later that evening. She was last seen at the trailhead, approximately 26 miles northeast of Phoenix, the morning of May 21.
Friends became concerned when they did not hear from her. Officers began searching the area and found her car still in the parking lot, according to the statement.
The search, conducted by officers on foot with the assistance of drones and a Phoenix Police helicopter, lasted for four hours the night of May 21, according to the department.
The search resumed the morning of May 22 with over 20 officers on foot and bicycles, as well as the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office search and rescue team and air unit that would eventually find her.
(This story was updated to include video.)