Hiking influencer Hannah Moody, whose outdoor adventures captivated nearly 50,000 followers on Instagram, died from environmental heat exposure, officials confirmed more than a month after she was found dead near a popular Arizona trail.
The Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled her death accidental.
The 31-year-old’s body was discovered on May 22, just 600 yards from the Gateway Trailhead parking lot in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve near Scottsdale, a day after she was last seen hiking in the area.
A heartbreaking discovery
Authorities launched a search operation—both on the ground and from the air—after Moody’s friends reported her missing on the evening of May 21, when she stopped responding to messages.
Temperatures had soared to 102°F on the day of her hike, according to local reports. Moody, an experienced hiker and fitness enthusiast, was believed to have set out during the peak of the heat.
“I hope she didn’t suffer,” her mother, Teri Moody, told AZFamily. “I hope she was unaware of what was happening. It was preventable—and that’s a hard pill to swallow.”
Remembering Hannah
Moody was known not only for her love of hiking but also for sharing messages about her faith, fitness, and her competitive spirit. Friends described her as a loyal, vibrant, and adventurous soul who inspired many through her posts and lifestyle.
“It’s still hard to picture what happened, to imagine those final moments,” her mother said. “But I hope her story can save someone else’s life.”
Teri added:
“If even one person reconsiders hiking in extreme heat because of Hannah’s story, then her loss wasn’t in vain.”
Moody’s tragic passing serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers of hiking in high temperatures, even for the most experienced outdoor enthusiasts.
