A hiker who went missing in Arizona’s White Tank Mountains in April has been found dead seven months later, though her cause of death is not yet clear, authorities said.
On Sunday, Nov. 24, the body of Amber Barnett was located in White Tank Mountain Regional Park near Waddell, Sgt. Calbert Gillett of the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office confirmed to PEOPLE.
“A cause of death has not yet been determined,” Gillett wrote in an email.
Barnett was first reported missing by her family after failing to return from a hike on the Mesquite Trail in Waddell.
Deputies had been dispatched to the area on Sunday for “possible human remains reported by a hiker,” according to an initial statement from the sheriff’s office.
“When deputies arrived, they were able to locate the human remains,” authorities said then, adding, “Homicide unit detectives are investigating.”
On Tuesday, Nov. 26, Barnett’s son Anthony Merlina paid tribute to her in a post on Facebook.
“My wonderful mother has gone to be with the Lord,” Merlina wrote. “She was found in the white tanks mountain doing what she loved to do seeking the Lord.”
“I am forever grateful for the example she showed me,” he continued. “She lived her life for Jesus and set herself apart to interceed and pray for others. She will be missed but she is not forgotten. Thank you momma. I miss you every day.”
A missing person’s flyer had stated that Barnett was last seen on April 1 in Phoenix.
An updated missing persons flyer clarified that she was “last known to be hiking in the White Tank Mountains on Tuesday, 4/2/2024. Her car was found in Lot 7 at the west end of Ramada Way. Her keys and purse were found in her car.”
