Cause of Death for Hiking Influencer Hannah Moody Revealed

The cause of death of hiking influencer Hannah Moody has been revealed.

Moody died of environmental heat exposure, according to the Maricopa County Office of the Medical Examiner. Her death has been ruled as an accident. 

The influencer was found dead near the Gateway Trailhead of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve in Scottsdale, Arizona, on May 22. She was 31 years old. 

“The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Air Unit located Hannah’s body around 12:05 p.m., about 600 yards off-trail,” the Scottsdale Police Department said in a statement. “Scottsdale detectives and crime scene personnel will now conduct a thorough investigation to piece together what happened to Hannah and how she died. Our investigation will be in cooperation with the Maricopa County Office of the Medical Examiner, which will ultimately determine the cause of death.”

5 Things to Know About Hiking Influencer Hannah Moody After Mysterious Death

Moody was reported missing after she failed to show up to an outing with friends.

Hannah Moody. Courtesy of Hannah Moody/Instagram

After her body was found, Moody’s mother, Terri, suspected that heat probably played a factor in her daughter’s death. 

“We’re all assuming it was heat-related,” Terri told Arizona’s Family on May 28. “But that’s inconclusive. There were no signs of foul play.”

She added, “It’s like a mystery to us right now. We’re trying to piece it all together.”

Hannah Moody Courtesy of Hannah Moody/Instagram

It was reportedly 102 degrees when Hannah set off on a solo hike on May 21. 

Days before her body was found, Hannah — who had amassed nearly 50,000 followers on Instagram before her death — posted a video via Instagram explaining she had been given the day shift at her new restaurant job, which meant she’d be forced to start hiking at night.

“I just realized 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,” Moody said in the May 18 video. “I haven’t really been able to do that and it’s just so sweet and so thoughtful.”

Hiking Influencer's Friend Mourns Her Sudden Death in Emotional Message

Hannah had moved back to Arizona in the months before her death, which she chronicled on social media. 

“Can’t believe it’s been 6 months since I moved back to AZ ,” Hannah shared via Instagram on April 27. 

She said life had been “so good” with “lots of sunsets, nature, friends, good food, solo dates.”

“More than anything I’ve been challenged to be present,” Hannah added. “To not rush through this season. To be here, now. Soak up the moments, the days, the experiences, and learn as much as possible from all of it – but to also just enjoy it. Life gets to be fun. Easy. Playful. Full. It doesn’t always have to be so serious .”