Female Hiker Feared To Have Drowned At Madamas Waterfalls — Massive Search Underway

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UPDATE 3: A Facebook post by someone named Keehnan Maria Camacho, who hiked with Jessica on previous occasions, is seeking to clear up what she calls “misinformation being spread online,” regarding the tragic incident. In her post this morning (Monday 12th January, 2026), she said the following:

“Good morning. I just wanted to share a quick update to clear up some of the misinformation being spread online about what happened to Jessica.

“Jessica was wearing her lifejacket. She did not jump into a waterfall or pool. She was with the guide the entire time, and he stayed with her as she became lodged between two tree trunks, with her foot stuck. He did everything he could in the moment and even returned with the hunters on Sunday to help recover her. She was exactly where he was trying to help her out.

“There are false accusations online blaming Mark, but it wasn't his hike he was there and helped, but he wasn't leading. The actual guide is deeply shaken and not doing well. The hikers who were present knew the struggle and what really occurred. There is a lot of fabrication.

“It wasn't pouring rain in Brasso Seco; there was just light rainfall. But the river rose quickly, and despite continuous efforts to free her, Jessica remained stuck.

“Jessica had hiked with us before. She was a beautiful soul and loved hiking. This is devastating for all of us, especially for another friend of mine who was there that day.

“It's just a heartbreaking and traumatic situation all around.”

UPDATE 2: According to new information, the hiking group set out from Madamas Junction, Brasso Seco, around 8:30 AM on Saturday morning (10th January, 2026), heading toward the Madamas River. However, approximately three (3) and a half hours into the hike, while the group was navigating the river in knee-high water, Jessica slipped and her legs became trapped between two (2) logs, leaving her immobilized in the river with flowing water.

Members of the hiking group are said to have made repeated and desperate attempts to free her. However, as water levels rose rapidly, their efforts proved unsuccessful. The situation deteriorated quickly, and Jessica was eventually submerged by the surging river. Fearing for their own safety, the remaining hikers were forced to retreat to higher ground. The group later exited the area and reported the incident to Police. 

A search and recovery operation was launched at first light the next day, on Sunday morning (11th January, 2026).

UPDATE: Tragically, the Hunters Search and Rescue Team (HSRT), led by Captain Vallence Rambharat, said in a 6:00 PM update this evening (Sunday 11th January, 2026) that the search team has located and retrieved the body of the female hiker — now identified as 40-year-old Jessica Jordan of Manahambre Road, Ste. Madeleine, San Fernando. Her body was positively identified by her uncle.

The team encountered tremendous difficulty navigating the dense forest terrain and swollen river conditions during the retrieval process. 


A female hiker is feared to have drowned at the Madamas Waterfalls in Brasso Seco, Paria, Blanchisseuse, following rainfall in the area on Saturday (10th January, 2026). The victim has been identified as 40-year-old “Jessica” from South Trinidad.

She reportedly got into difficulty while hiking in the area with a group of eight (8) hikers, as intense rainfall caused water levels to unexpectedly rise rapidly, creating dangerous conditions along the river and near the falls. She is believed to have been swept away by the fast-moving water and subsequently drowned.

Members of the Hunters Search and Rescue Team (HSRT), led by Captain Vallence Rambharat, along with members of the Trinidad and Tobago Fire Service (TTFS) and the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS), entered the rugged terrain around 5:45 AM this morning (Sunday 11th January, 2026) and are presently conducting co-ordinated search efforts to locate and retrieve Jessica’s body.

Captain Rambharat noted that the operation is being challenged by persistent rainfall and the rugged terrain. “It will be a long day ahead. It is still raining here in Madamas,” Rambharat said.

Authorities are urging members of the public to exercise caution when visiting rivers, waterfalls and hiking trails, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall, as water levels can rise suddenly and become life-threatening — as evidenced in this tragic incident.

Investigations are continuing. 

More on this as it becomes available. 

This is a developing story - refresh this page for updates.

[Source: Ian Alleyne]

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