Missing Horsetail Falls hiker found dead

Alpine, UTAH – The body of a 19-year-old Utah County woman who went missing Friday has been found.

Sgt. Spencer Cannon of the Utah County Sheriff's Office said the woman went missing near Horsetail Falls, above Alpine.

» [A hiker] I found a phone showing a young woman walking in the river,” Cannon said.

“We are investigating what may have happened to this young woman. SAR and several fire departments are involved in the investigation, including a DPS helicopter.

Cannon said the belongings of the woman and her dog were found Friday around 3 p.m. Sgt. Garrett Dutson with the Utah County Sheriff's Office said the dog was returned to the missing woman's family.

The woman's body was then found in the water Friday evening, but could not be recovered until Saturday due to safety concerns, according to Dutson.

Dutson said it appears the 19-year-old entered the water, probably without realizing how fast it was, and was swept away.

“[The] the water is very high and moving very quickly,” Dutson said.

Police believe his death was a “tragic accident” involving fast-moving water and that no foul play was involved.

Dutson said the contents of the cellphone found on the woman's phone were “still under investigation.”

This is a breaking news story and will be updated when more information is provided.

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