A body found in Beaver Creek this morning is believed to be that of a Nebraska woman who fell into the water three weeks ago.
Mary Brake, 56, of Lincoln, Neb., fell into the swift-moving creek June 20 after the horse she was riding lost its footing.
A Beaver Creek employee contacted the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office at about 10 a.m. after he saw “an item” belonging to Brake, the agency said in a news release.
After 30 minutes of searching, responders found a body about 20 yards downstream from where Brake was last seen.
The coroner identified the body Thursday afternoon.
Brake, a prominent real-estate agent, was riding with a group that included her husband and 9-year-old daughter Bayley on their way to Beano’s Cabin, an upscale restaurant that is only accessible by horseback, wagon or foot.
Rescuers from 16 agencies searched for more than three days along a 3.5-mile stretch downstream.
“As we promised, we have completed our commitment to Mary’s family to return her to her home and family,” Dan Smith of Vail Mountain Rescue Group said in a statement.
Eagle County Sheriff Joseph Hoy said, “We are proud of our community. Their heart and spirit guided each one of them to help bring Mary back to her family.”
