Woman found dead at Piestewa Peak, investigation underway

PHOENIX - A woman was found dead at one of Phoenix's most popular hiking trails, Piestewa Peak, on the afternoon of Friday, June 10.

"This is being reported as a death investigation of an adult female," the Phoenix Police Department said. "Officers located an adult female, obviously deceased. The adult female was located wearing clothing consistent with hiking, and no signs of trauma were located on the body."

Police identified the victim as 68-year-old Vanessa Wright. The medical examiner will determine her cause of death.

On the same afternoon, Phoenix broke a heat record set back in 1978 at 111°F – upping the record to 112°F.

The National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Heat Warning for much of southern Arizona, as temperatures in the Phoenix area could reach 115°F in the coming days. When such a warning is issued, hiking trails in Phoenix are closed.

No further information is available, and this story will be updated if we get more information.