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. Park rangers responded and recovered the body, which was transported to the rim by helicopter and transferred to the Coconino County Medical Examiner.
Nickerson was reported missing following a flash flood that struck Havasu Canyon (river mile 157.3) on August 22. She was last seen approximately 100 yards above the confluence of Havasu Creek and the Colorado River. The National Park Service conducted a multi-day search and rescue operation.
Mrs. Nickerson left behind her husband, Andrew Nickerson, and two young daughters. A Gofundme account has been set up to assist the Nickerson family.
Gov. Katie Hobbs activated the Arizona National Guard along with Blackhawk helicopters after more than a hundred people were stranded by the flooding to facilitate evacuations from Havasupai Village.
The Havasupai Tribe says the area is closed to tourism “indefinitely.”