On May 27, 2022, a 20-year-old Northern Arizona University student named Axel Brugere and a friend, both from Flagstaff, embarked on a day hike on the A.B. Young Trail in Oak Creek Canyon. The trail is known for being short but steep, ascending to a plateau with access to the East Pocket Knob Lookout. The two hikers successfully reached the top of the trail at approximately 1:00 p.m. After a brief rest, Brugere's companion went to explore the area for about 30 minutes. When he returned, Brugere was gone. It was believed that Brugere, who was unfamiliar with the area, may have become lost. He was last seen wearing red shorts.
The Coconino County Sheriff's Office was notified the following morning, on May 28, and a search and rescue operation was immediately launched. The search efforts involved approximately 25 personnel and included assistance from the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue team and an Arizona Department of Public Safety helicopter. Due to the extreme and challenging terrain, unmanned aerial vehicles were also utilized to aid in the search. For ten days, search teams, family, friends, and volunteers scoured the area. During the search, some articles of clothing that may have belonged to Brugere were discovered near the water in Oak Creek, but this did not lead to further information about his location. After more than a week of intensive searching with no new leads, the active search was scaled back to a limited, continuous operation.
Regrettably, the search for Axel Brugere concluded with the confirmation that he was located deceased, and the case is now considered closed. While specific details regarding the date and circumstances of his discovery remain vague, the outcome brought a sorrowful end to the extensive search efforts. The initial disappearance involved a complex series of events, beginning with Brugere's hiking companion becoming disoriented himself after he could not find Brugere. The friend attempted to descend back to their vehicle but lost his way, eventually following a drainage that led him to the Slide Rock State Park area. He made it back to the trailhead late that night, but with Brugere not there and without access to a phone or keys, he waited until the next morning to get a ride and report his friend missing, nearly 17 hours after he was last seen. This unfortunate case serves as a somber reminder of the challenges and potential dangers of hiking in rugged wilderness areas.
Last Seen: May 27, 2022
