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Woman found dead after hiking with man she met on Instagram

Friends of a 31-year-old woman who went hiking with a man she met online are demanding answers, after she was found dead last Friday.

Angela Tramonte from Massachusetts had met a man on Instagram two months ago and recently made a trip to Phoenix, Arizona, to meet him.

The man, who has not been identified, and Ms Tramonte set out on a hiking trip up Camelback Mountain on Friday July 30, local news station WBZ-TV reported.

However, amid the heat, Ms Tramonte decided to turn back and head to the car park, while the man she was with decided to continue up the mountain.

At around 1pm on the Friday, police and fire crews were called to the trail, after Ms Tramonte was reported missing by the man she was with initially.

Angela Tramonte was found dead after going on a hike in Arizona. Source: WBZ-TV
Angela Tramonte was found dead after going on a hike in Arizona. Source: WBZ-TV

Fox 10 Phoenix reported the man was a police officer with Phoenix Police, who was off-duty at the time, and he told the operator the two were separated on the hike and he could not find her.

"The witness also told officers, during the hike Ms Tramonte decided to head back down the trail and asked him to continue to the top to take pictures so that she could share them on her social media," a police statement said according to Fox.

"The pair agreed to meet later at the car."

While rescuers searched for Ms Tramonte and she was later found dead on a trail on the northeast side of the mountain near a home.

Authorities believe Ms Tramonte may have overheated and tried to find help before she died.

“Just another reminder of just how unrelenting and unforgiving the elements of the Sonoran Desert can be,” Police Captain Rob McDade said according to WBZ-TV.

Angela Tramonte and the off-duty police officer she was with headed up Camelback Mountain, but ended up separating. Source: Google Maps
Angela Tramonte and the off-duty police officer she was with headed up Camelback Mountain, but ended up separating. Source: Google Maps/File

Friends claim death 'doesn't make sense'

Devastated friends of Ms Tramonte claim the circumstances around her death do not make sense.

“As a cop, as a first responder, you’re supposed to help people," her best friend Stacey Gerardi told WBZ-TV.

"If somebody’s walking up a mountain and you’re seeing her in distress and she’s not feeling well and she’s exhausted – why wouldn’t you walk her back down? Why would you continue to walk back up? It doesn’t make sense."

Another friend, Melissa Buttaro, said she heard Ms Tramonte was without water when she was found, but claims she never went anywhere without a water bottle.

Police are still investigating Ms Tramonte's death, though authorities do not believe there was any foul play.

Angela Tramonte's friends say the circumstances surrounding her death don't make sense. Source: GoFundMe
Angela Tramonte's friends say the circumstances surrounding her death don't make sense. Source: GoFundMe

A GoFundMe set up by Ms Buttaro claimed the man Ms Tramonte was with on the hike had "no regard for her safety", as he did not head back to the car with her when she was exhausted.

"She went missing for hours and was found dead from heat exhaustion. Angela lived a very healthy, active lifestyle. She woke up early every morning to go the gym. She did weekly meal planning and was obsessed with drinking water. She also loved walking her dog Dolce every day," the GoFundMe says.

"There are many inconsistencies in the timeline and facts that just don't make any sense. We just want justice for our friend"

The GoFundMe is hoping to raise enough money to bring Ms Tramonte's body back to Massachusetts and cover funeral expenses. You can donate here.

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