Holly Suzanne Courtier: After a 12-day search in one of America’s most dangerous and treasured frontiers, a woman was found and rescued.
Holly Suzanne Courtier, a 38-year-old California mother, was discovered visibly hungry, a few pounds thinner, and dehydrated in Zion National Park on October 18.
According to her family, she had a concussion, kidney failure, and foot problems due to the cold.
What was supposed to be a quick spiritual journey turned into a life-or-death struggle?
She and her family left the park after being discovered and sought medical help.
Holly Suzanne Courtier: Missing For 12 Days
What began as a public appeal for information and assistance in locating Courtier quickly became a worldwide sensation rife with hate and conspiracy theories regarding her abduction.
Since then, family members claim they have received an avalanche of hate mail and remarks, causing them to delete their social media accounts and obtain new phone numbers.
Hundreds of comments on the family’s Facebook posts include words like “hoax,” “scammer,” and “crazy.” Observers on the internet formed private groups to discuss the case. Some speculated that the internet fundraiser was a hoax.
In a televised interview, a sheriff’s sergeant was cited as saying that Courtier’s tale didn’t line up. They claim that his words circulated across the country, escalating the dispute and inciting greater animosity toward the family.
Holly’s sister, Jaime Courtier Strong, spoke with The Spectrum, a part of the USA TODAY network, about what happened and how the online outrage has affected them.
There are no gaps in the plot, no inconsistencies.” It was exaggerated to the point of absurdity, “she stated
Let’s get this party started.
She was looking for a complete detachment from everything | Holly Suzanne Courtier
Holly Suzanne Courtier and her daughter Kailey Chambers hiked at Zion National Park in September.
Courtier had lost her nannying job earlier this year due to the epidemic and travelled throughout the country in a modified van.
Courtier’s younger sister, Jillian Oliver, told the Los Angeles Times that Courtier was a “free spirit” who was prone to spontaneity and fasted regularly.
Oliver told the New York Times that they had supper together a few days before Courtier left for Zion “‘I love you so much,’ she whispered as she hugged me tightly. She appeared to be choked up. She acted as if she wasn’t going to see us for a few weeks.”
Courtier stayed in California for a few weeks before flying to Utah in the middle of the night in early October. She didn’t inform anyone where she was going and left her phone at home.
Strong added, “She was certainly suffering a mental collapse.” “She then revealed that she was looking for a complete detachment from everything. She merely desired to be alone. She had no idea what it would evolve into, how much anxiety she would cause, or what it would become.”
On October 6, Courtier arrived in Zion National Park, parked her car in Springdale, and boarded a private shuttle to the Grotto area around 1:30 p.m.
For over two weeks, that was the last time anyone saw Courtier.
She was wearing a cap, a jacket, a tank top, hiking boots, a bag, a sweater, a blanket, and a hammock.
According to the New York Times, Oliver Courtier’s roommate reported her missing, and authorities determined she was in Zion because she paid the entry charge using her credit card.
Courtier had previously begun a food fast to start her spiritual journey, where she wanted to “connect with nature and read her Bible,” according to Strong.
Courtier told her sister that she had gone on a long hike on the first day of her trip, which had left her exhausted.
Courtier proceeded to sit in her hammock after setting it up in a vegetated area and swung back, smacking her head hard on a tree, according to Strong.
Courtier, who was disoriented, sat by the Virgin River for days, scooping up water to wet her tongue, swish it around, and spit it out, according to Strong.
Courtier informed Strong that she had seen posters in the park warning about the dangerous cyanobacteria in the water and that she didn’t want to drink it but that she needed to keep her mouth moist.
Oliver told the New York Times that she believed Courtier could survive without food and drink for a while because she fasted frequently.
Strong has set up a GoFundMe account to “support the costs of her search as well as necessary aftercare if she is located.”
The fundraiser raised $12,010 while Courtier was still missing.
Strong claimed she started the GoFundMe because “things were getting expensive”, and friends and relatives kept asking how they could help.
“I reasoned that it was the most transparent way for everyone to know where the money went. The majority of the donations came from close friends, and relatives “Strong remarked.
The family put together its search party with dozens of local volunteers and created a webpage.
Courtier’s 19-year-old daughter became the search’s public face, skipping school and leaving home to look for her mother.
“In a nutshell, it’s been extraordinary. Never in a million years did I imagine I’d have to go through something like this, “Chambers remarked. “It’s been a tremendously emotional experience,” says the narrator.
Deputy Chief Ranger Andrew Fitzgerald told a press conference on October 13 that the possibility of survival had increased due to the moderate weather. They knew she had supplies with her and hoped she would find a water source.
Meanwhile, Courtier marked a tree with a Sharpie to keep track of the days that passed.
Courtier observed another person during the search but later stated she couldn’t shout for help because she was dehydrated, according to Strong.
Someone eventually noticed her.
The search and rescue personnel were swiftly dispatched after receiving a tip.
Courier was able to “escape of her capability with minimal assistance,” according to a press announcement announcing her rescue. Courtier was in horrible shape, according to Strong, who spoke on NBC’s Today Show.
According to Strong, Courtier had to stop every five feet to rest as she walked out of where she had been living and had a ranger waiting behind her in case she slipped.
“She was terrified and traumatised at the same time… We rushed her to the hospital’s emergency room “Today, Strong stated.
Courtier was eventually diagnosed with a concussion and received treatment for cold-related foot injuries, as well as hunger and dehydration, according to Strong. Courtier then checked herself into a California mental health facility. “Every day, she gets better,” Strong added.
The rescue has sparked a lot of conspiracy ideas | Holly Suzanne Courtier
When Washington County Sheriff’s Sgt. Darrell Cashin spoke to ABC 4 the day following Courtier’s rescue; he discussed the issue and speculated whether Courtier drank the hazardous water from the Virgin River for 12 days, claiming that the water would have killed her.
Toxic algae have been a problem in Zion’s Virgin River since at least July when park officials discovered it after a dog drowned while playing in the water.
“Unless she had some incredibly great immune system, she would’ve been very, very unwell and possibly unable to get out on her own if she had been drinking that water,” Cashin told ABC 4. “Either she brought a lot of water with her or she had another clean water source nearby, but the Virgin River isn’t that supply.”
However Cashin’s earlier statements
However, Cashin’s earlier statements to other media organisations were made as an “expert witness,” not in an official investigating role, according to a sheriff’s office public information officer. According to the source, Cashin was using his years of knowledge in the field to comment on the issue, not to draw definite conclusions.
They stated, “Cashin spoke to an awareness that there are discrepancies.” “It is our responsibility to be objective. “We’re fact-finders,” says the narrator.
According to a press release issued on Monday, Cashin’s views and assertions are supported by the Sheriff’s Office.
Zion National Park brought in the Sheriff’s Office merely to review the case and ensure thoroughness of the park. According to the press release, they were simply consultants, not investigators.
According to the announcement, “it was our determination that the investigative tactics were consistent with Sheriff’s Office investigative practises, and no further action was required.”
Courtier’s family, on the other hand, claims the remarks were hurtful.
They’ve been compelled to deactivate or severely limit their social media accounts, obtain new phone numbers, and take other privacy precautions.
As of Monday, roughly 300 people had commented on a post on Chambers’ Facebook page seeking help early in the case. Others questioned Courtier’s storey, while some were sympathetic.
Some argue that the funds obtained through GoFundMe should be returned. Some have referred to Courtier and her family as “scammers” and hurled various abuses.
People could speculate about what “actually” happened in a private Facebook group.
The Sherrif’s sergeant has made [Kailey’s] situation ten times worse,” Strong added. “I’ve never seen or met him before.” This is the person who examined some documentation… He was not present.
I believe it would be simple to draw conclusions after looking at a few items on paper. He’s taken something and exaggerated it to the point of absurdity.
The family held off on publicising some details because they were attempting to put their lives back together before letting the public in, according to Strong.
Strong explained, “I think we just took our time answering the questions because we were much more focused on getting her healthier.” “We never stated she drank water,” says the narrator. He made it appear as if there was a gap in the plot when there wasn’t.”
The GoFundMe campaign is a crowd-funding platform that allows people to
The GoFundMe fundraiser is an issue that some sceptics of Courtier’s storey have with the case.
It generated $12,010 for Courtier’s recuperation in the few days it was life.
Strong explained that she wanted to organise a fundraiser for friends and family to contribute to. However, as Courtier’s tale gained regional and national exposure, GoFundMe rose in size.
Holly Suzanne Courtier had had mental health challenges in the past and was not in the best of spirits when she went on her hike,” Strong wrote on the GoFundMe page on Friday.
She had no intention of becoming hurt or becoming so frail on her quest.” She had no intention of turning her journey into a search and rescue mission. Holly Suzanne Courtier would have perished if she hadn’t been discovered when she was.
Strong stated that the monies raised would be used to cover the costs of the search for family and friends, including hotel rooms, equipment, car rentals, and food for the search team. The remaining funds were set aside to assist Courtier with his medical expenses.
Strong, however, said she wanted to be “honest” because of the widespread public backlash to Cashin’s comments and other suspicions.
“We understand and respect the public’s concerns about the numerous errors reported in the news and on social media about Holly’s situation. On Friday, Strong wrote on GoFundMe, “Whoever has reservations about our usage of their money is welcome to request a refund without any protest from the family.”
“We are trustworthy individuals.” She told the Spectrum, “We’re not holding your money hostage.”
Only $50 had been sought to be reimbursed as of Monday.
“Numerous reports have been received indicating the act was possibly conceptualised and carried out as part of a plan to fraudulently produce money to a GoFundMe account for Courtier’s recovery,” the Sheriff’s Office said in a news statement on Monday.
“At this time in the investigation, there has been no evidence to support the assumption that the incident was committed purposefully in an effort to achieve financial advantage,” according to the press release.
In the future of this case, the Sheriff’s Office’s only responsibility could be to undertake a criminal investigation if one is required. Because the National Park Service is a federal agency, it cannot have jurisdiction over a legal case in Utah.
A report on the investigation will be released soon.
Courtier’s case is currently being investigated by Zion National Park, which officials say they intend to share with the public as soon as it is finished.
The report will include details about the case, such as how much government money was spent on the search, how many personnel and volunteers were involved in the search, her discovery, and other conclusions.
“I’m just thrilled we found her and were reunited with our family,” said Amanda Rolland, a spokesperson for Zion.
Courtier’s family, Zion National Park, and other search and rescue partners expressed their gratitude to the rangers and volunteers who helped them discover her.
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