Southwest
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)
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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.
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.
“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)
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.
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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A man wanted for a deadly road rage shooting in Los Angeles was arrested and extradited from Mexico after fleeing the U.S. in 2024.
The suspect was identified as Christian Rojas, 21, of Bellflower, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Authorities had been searching for him since the deadly incident on October 10, 2024.
Rojas and a second suspect, Joshua Rojas Sr., 47, of Downey, were driving on the northbound 5 Freeway in Boyle Heights around 4 p.m. when they became involved in an altercation with another driver that escalated into a shooting.
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Video obtained exclusively by KTLA shows the terrifying moment a road rage suspect opened fire the driver of another car on the 5 Freeway in Los Angeles, fatally wounding him and seriously injuring a passenger, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Credit: @hugoboss01) -
Video obtained exclusively by KTLA shows the terrifying moment a road rage suspect opened fire the driver of another car on the 5 Freeway in Los Angeles, fatally wounding him and seriously injuring a passenger, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Credit: @hugoboss01) -
Video obtained exclusively by KTLA shows the terrifying moment a road rage suspect opened fire the driver of another car on the 5 Freeway in Los Angeles, fatally wounding him and seriously injuring a passenger, on Oct. 10, 2024. The alleged gunman is circled. (Credit: @hugoboss01) -
Video obtained exclusively by KTLA shows the terrifying moment a road rage suspect opened fire the driver of another car on the 5 Freeway in Los Angeles, fatally wounding him and seriously injuring a passenger, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Credit: @hugoboss01) -
Video obtained exclusively by KTLA shows the terrifying moment a road rage suspect opened fire the driver of another car on the 5 Freeway in Los Angeles, fatally wounding him and seriously injuring a passenger, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Credit: @hugoboss01) -
Christian Rojas, 21, of Bellflower, was arrested and extradited to the U.S. from Mexico on June 2, 2026, in connection with a deadly road rage shooting in Los Angeles. (California Highway Patrol)
Video of the tense confrontation showed the suspects, who were driving a Dodge Durango SUV, opening fire on two men in a Cadillac sedan.
The shooting forced the victim to pull over abruptly. That’s when a suspect ran up to the Cadillac, opened the passenger-side door and fired several shots at close range.
In a panic, the Cadillac driver tried to escape by making a sudden U-turn and driving against oncoming traffic. He eventually crashed head-on into several vehicles.
The suspects ditched their SUV and fled toward a freeway exit on foot. The Cadillac driver was left with serious injuries and his passenger was killed. Their identities were not released.
The incident caused a miles-long backup that left thousands of motorists stranded on the freeway for hours and authorities worked to clear the scene.
Following an extensive investigation, detectives identified the two men as the suspects involved.
Joshua Rojas Sr. was arrested in San Bernardino on October 22, 2024, on a murder charge. He remains in custody awaiting trial.
Meanwhile, Christian Rojas had fled the U.S. and was hiding in Mexico, detectives said. A $4.3 million bail warrant was issued for his arrest.
“Through a coordinated international effort, investigators determined that Rojas was living in Palomo de Arriba, Mexico,” CHP officials said. “The U.S. Marshals Service worked with Mexican state police to locate and arrest him on the outstanding warrant.”
On June 2, 2026, Christian was arrested and extradited to the U.S. to face a murder charge.
“This arrest demonstrates that time and distance will not shield violent offenders from justice,” said CHP Southern Division Chief Chris Margaris. “For nearly two years, our detectives remained relentless in their pursuit of those responsible for this senseless act of violence. Through exceptional collaboration with the United States Marshals Service and our law enforcement partners in Mexico, we located and apprehended this suspect and brought him back to face the charges. We remain committed to protecting the public, supporting victims and their families, and holding violent criminals accountable wherever they may try to hide.”
The northbound 405 Freeway will remain closed for several hours near Los Angeles International Airport after a police pursuit ended with officers opening fire Friday morning. Unconfirmed reports indicated the incident began with a robbery at a 7-Eleven store, which ended with Los Angeles Police Department officers pursuing the suspect in a Kia. The chase […]
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