Tourist assaulted on Havasupai Reservation, suspect in custody

HAVASUPAI, Ariz. - An arrest was made after a female tourist was assaulted on the Havasupai Reservation.

What we know:

The 27-year-old woman traveled from New York to hike Havasu Falls in northern Arizona, but on the first night of the hike, she was met with violence.

Ring camera footage captured the assault, which took place in front of some homes on the Havasupai Reservation.

"She was so excited," said Tricia Rowan, the victim's mother. "She had gotten all the things that she needed. It was gonna be the trip of a lifetime."

It was a bucket list trip to hike Havasu Falls that brought Rowan's daughter and a friend from the city to Arizona last week. On the first day, the pair hiked to the Havasupai Village down in the bottom of the canyon. The victim's mother said she was briefly separated from her friend she went on this hiking trip with. When she stopped to ask for directions, the man in the video attacked. 

"She was like 'is this the direction toward the lodge?'" Rowan said. "And she said immediately, when she spoke and he looked at her, she's like 'Ma I knew I was in trouble.'"

Investigators say Taylor Nardo Paya, a member of the Havasupai Tribe, attacked her. The assault was caught on a nearby home's Ring camera. According to court documents, the victim suffered knife wounds to her neck and hands. Paya also reportedly stole her cellphone.

In the footage, a person is seen coming out onto the front porch, and Paya runs away shortly after. That person then reportedly brought Rowan's daughter into her home, locked the door, and provided first aid. Rowan says she believes this person saved her daughter's life.

"We have been in contact because I was like there is nothing I can do to show you how grateful, like there's no amount of words, there's no dollar amount for what they did to save my daughter," Rowan said.

The Aftermath:

Rowan says her daughter is back home in New York now, recovering physically and mentally.

"All she kept saying is 'I'm alive, I'm home with my kids,' because they got her out," Rowan said. "But it's something that's going to spook her, and for a long time. Like, we live in New York City, she's gonna see somebody that resembles him, or just people coming up behind her."

Rowan says she is grateful for those on the reservation who helped her daughter, including law enforcement who airlifted her out of the canyon.

"Hopefully one day I'd love to go back with my whole family as a part of my daughter's healing process," Rowan said.

What they're saying:

As for the man accused in this violent act, Rowan shared her thoughts on accountability.

"I want justice, not just for my own daughter, but for the hundreds of thousands of people that hike in that canyon," Rowan said. "He doesn't deserve to ever be able to walk in such beautiful lands to call home."

The Arrest:

Court documents detail the investigation leading up to Paya's arrest, which was caught on camera. They reveal a Bureau of Indian Affairs officer was the only law enforcement officer in Supai, Arizona, on the day of the attack. That officer then reportedly tracked the victim's phone to a tribal residence and found shoe prints outside leaving the home, but due to rainfall, he was unable to follow the prints far.

Paya was later arrested on a charge of assault with a dangerous weapon and is in federal custody. The documents include mention of a criminal history.  

The Tribe's Statement:

The tribe is thanking community members who jumped in to help. Tribal leaders say they are devastated by the attack in Supai, calling the violence unacceptable. Chairwoman Melinda Yaiva of the Havasupai Tribe released the following statement: 

The Havasupai Tribe is devastated by the assault of a visitor in Supai on Wednesday, August 12, 2026. We want to be absolutely clear: violence against our visitors, our Tribal members, or anyone within our community is unacceptable and will not be condoned. The conduct alleged in this incident does not reflect the values of the Havasupai Tribe or the respect and hospitality that our community extends to the thousands of visitors who come to our homeland each year. We are especially grateful to the Tribal members who came to the victim’s aid and to law enforcement in bringing the suspect into custody. 

Paya's Lawyer's Statement:

First, I hope the victim has a speedy and full recovery from this ordeal. I certainly understand how traumatic it must have been.

Every person accused of a crime in this country is presumed innocent. Mr. Paya is entitled to that same presumption, as well as the fundamental right to due process guaranteed by the United States Constitution.

At this early stage, the United States Attorney’s Office has not yet provided the defense with the reports and evidence underlying the allegations. Until we have had an opportunity to review that evidence, it would be inappropriate to comment on the specific allegations.

What I can say is that I will vigorously defend Mr. Paya and protect his constitutional rights throughout this process. An accusation is not evidence, and it is certainly not a conviction. I ask that the public afford Mr. Paya the same presumption of innocence that our Constitution and our system of justice demand.

Ultimately, this case should be decided on the evidence presented in a courtroom, not by headlines or public speculation.

Paya's lawyer, Daniel B. Kaiser, Esq., with the Kaiser Law Group said. 

What's next:

Family members of the victim told FOX 10 she is expected to survive. Paya is set to appear in federal court on Aug. 20.

Crime and Public SafetyHavasupaiNews