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Hiker influencer found dead in Arizona desert after going missing on trail

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Hiker influencer found dead in Arizona desert after going missing on trail

A social media influencer known for sharing her hiking adventures and spiritual reflections was found dead near a trailhead in Arizona after being reported missing.

The body of Hannah Moody, 31, was discovered in a Scottsdale preserve at around noon Thursday 600 yards off-trail, having gone missing the day before, the Scottsdale Police Department said in a press release. 

Moody, who was an experienced hiker known for posting uplifting messages about life, was first reported missing at around 7:50 p.m. on Wednesday by concerned friends who said they had not heard from her, police said. 

Hannah Moody, 31, was discovered around 12:05 p.m. near the Gateway Trailhead in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, about 600 yards off-trail, the Scottsdale Police Department said (Instagram/ itshanrose)

HIKER, 33, DIES AFTER HIKING ARIZONA MOUNTAINS IN EXTREME HEAT, 4 OTHERS RESCUED

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That sparked a search effort by police who initially found her car still parked in the parking lot at the Gateway Trailhead in Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve.

Officers began searching the area on foot, with drones and by helicopter and the search was called off at around 11:30 p.m. local time. 

The search resumed Thursday morning with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Air Unit locating Moody’s body.

“It is a heartbreaking development in the extensive search for the missing hiker,” police said. 

Investigators said they are trying to piece together what happened and said there are no obvious signs of foul play or trauma at this point. A cause of death is not yet known and will ultimately be determined by the medical examiner. 

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Hikers begin their day on the Gateway Loop Trail at the McDowell Mountain Sonoran Preserve. (Caitlin O’Hara /For The Washington Post via Getty Images)

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Hauntingly, Moody posted a video of herself earlier this week talking into the camera on a hike and thanking God for the fact her new day shift in a restaurant allows her to hike at sunset.

She said she was initially concerned since she would be making less money on the day shift.  

But I just realized, like, God is literally blessing me with the day shift because he knows how much I freaking love the sunset and I love being able to go for sunset hikes and I haven’t really been able to do that,” Moody said to her 44,000 followers.

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“And it’s just so sweet and so thoughtful and it really just made me look at this situation in such a different way, such a different light, so let this be a reminder that whatever challenge you’re going through, there’s probably something good about it.”

She signed off by panning to the spectacular sunset view.

Peace and love. Look at this view. So pretty. It’s so pretty.”

Moody posted on her Instagram Wednesday that she was headed out on the hike, writing that she had about “five gallons of water” with her, Fox 10 Phoenix reported.

Saguaros stand in front of Four Peaks looming in the background as seen from the Granite Mountain Loop Trail in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve in Scottsdale. Hannah Moody, known for sharing her hiking adventures and spiritual reflections, was found dead near a trailhead in Scottsdale after being reported missing. (David Wallace/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK)

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Friends describe Moody as someone with a big heart who felt most at home hiking the desert trails.

“She loves the outdoors. If you could put her somewhere where she would be happiest, it would be outside in nature,” her friend, Lauryn, told the outlet.

They also said she was an experienced hiker who was always prepared.

“She does hikes literally weekly like this, so she knows what to do,” Jessica, another one of her friends, said.

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Her brother, Joel Moody wrote on Facebook that his sister was a “fierce competitor” who was “driven, putting her heart and mind to a goal and pursuing it relentlessly.”

“Hannah was also a nomad, a free spirit, searching for a place to belong and to call home after leaving our parents’ house,” he said. “She was a wanderer, journeying with companions, settling for a time, then moving on.”

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Los Angeles, Ca

Woman ambushed, violently attacked by robber in downtown Long Beach

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Woman ambushed, violently attacked by robber in downtown Long Beach

A woman was hospitalized with serious injuries after she was violently attacked by a robber in downtown Long Beach. On June 18, Jennifer Silva, 34, was attending a World Cup watch party at a Hooters restaurant at 90 Aquarium Way. After the game ended, she left the restaurant just before 11 p.m. As she walked […]

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Los Angeles, Ca

Jury says it is deadlocked in trial of man accused in Palisades Fire

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Jury says it is deadlocked in trial of man accused in Palisades Fire

Jurors deliberating the fate of the man accused of starting the Palisades Fire, one of the most destructive wildfires in California’s history, failed to reach a verdict Thursday afternoon, telling the judge they were deadlocked.

A spokesperson from the United States Attorney’s Office told KTLA that jurors will continue to deliberate until they reach a verdict or give up.

Jonathan Rinderknecht, 30, a former Uber driver and one-time Pacific Palisades resident, is accused of starting the Lachman Fire on New Year’s Eve. The fire continued to smolder underground for about a week, even after Los Angeles firefighters believed it had been extinguished.

Flames reignited on Jan. 7, erupting into the deadly Palisades Fire that killed 12 people and destroyed thousands of homes in the upscale community, authorities said.

  • A courtroom sketch of Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, during his initial court appearance on Oct. 23, 2025.
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Prosecutors argued that Rinderknecht deliberately set the fire, claiming he had grown increasingly resentful of wealthy residents and viewed Pacific Palisades as a symbol of that frustration.

“Their case, though circumstantial, is strong,” KTLA legal analyst Alison Triessl said. “The defense is relying on, can they (prosecutors) show beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr. Rinderknecht actually started this fire and it wasn’t the result of fireworks or some intervening cause.”

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The defense argued there is no direct physical evidence tying Rinderknecht to the fire and said the prosecution’s case relies entirely on circumstantial evidence. Rinderknecht did not testify during the trial.

Defense attorney Steve Haney spoke outside the courthouse Wednesday about why he believes it will be difficult for prosecutors to prove how the fire started.

“The lack of scene preservation. The fact that they got there after a lot of the evidence was missing. Not a lot of direct evidence. This is a circumstantial case, which is always difficult as a prosecutor to prove,” Haney said.

Rinderknecht, who was arrested and indicted last October, faces up to 45 years in prison if found guilty of three arson counts, including destruction of property by means of fire, arson affecting property used in interstate commerce and timber set afire.

Tony Kurzweil contributed to this report

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Los Angeles, Ca

Boyle Heights warehouse cleanup begins as crews face 85 million pounds of spoiled food

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Boyle Heights warehouse cleanup begins as crews face 85 million pounds of spoiled food

Cleanup efforts are underway Thursday at the Boyle Heights cold-storage warehouse that burned for eight days after firefighters officially declared the massive blaze knocked down Wednesday evening. Los Angeles Fire Department crews remain at the Lineage warehouse near Union Pacific Avenue and South La Puente Street as they transition into the overhaul phase, searching for […]

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