‘Living nightmare’: New York woman’s throat cut in attack during trip near the Grand Canyon

SUPAI, AZ (AZFamily/Gray News) - A New York woman is back home after being attacked with a knife while hiking near the Grand Canyon.

Alexis Rowan traveled to Havasupai Falls, just outside the Grand Canyon, for a birthday trip, according to her mother, Tricia Rowan. Alexis Rowan’s family says she was ambushed on a trail and cut on the throat by a man she had asked for help.

“It was supposed to be the trip of a lifetime; she was all excited. It turned into a living nightmare,” Tricia Rowan said.

Tricia Rowan said Alexis Rowan and a friend planned the trip for their birthdays, leaving New York in search of peace and beauty.

“You leave the concrete jungle to go to nature and see nature’s beauty, and something so horrendous and so horrific happens and you’re like, wow, you never would’ve thought,” Tricia said.

‘She knew she was in trouble’

On Aug. 12, Alexis Rowan and her friend hiked down to the Havasupai village at the bottom of the canyon. They got separated on the trail.

Tricia Rowan said Alexis Rowan spotted a man and asked him for directions to the gift shop.

“The first and only person she saw, she asked, ‘Is this the right way to the gift shop?’ And right after she asked, she said she knew he had not a good look in his eye; she knew she was in trouble,” Tricia Rowan said.

Court documents name the man as 29-year-old Taylor Nardo Paya, a member of the Havasupai Tribe.

He started walking behind her. Tricia Rowan said Alexis Rowan never saw what came next.

“Next thing you know he just came up behind her with a knife and he just slit her throat, like he literally just cut her,” Tricia Rowan said.

Tricia Rowan said the attack continued after that.

“He’s punching her repeatedly; he grabbed her by her head, threw her to the ground and attempted dragging her,” she said.

Alexis Rowan fought back and screamed, according to her mother.

“When people are like, ‘Oh, I screamed for my life,’ but then when you hear this, that’s what screaming to save your life and fighting for your life is,” Tricia said.

Neighbor’s camera captured attack

The attack was captured on a neighbor’s Ring camera. Tricia Rowan said the neighbor heard the attack and stepped in to help.

“Had she not been home or had the bravery to step out on her porch, this would’ve been a totally different conversation,” Tricia Rowan said.

Federal authorities arrested Paya. He is facing a charge of assault with a dangerous weapon. Tricia Rowan said she still worries this could happen to other tourists.

“Yes, they got him off, but is he the only one?” she said.

Tricia Rowan said Alexis Rowan is home, alive, but changed.

“She’s going to have a scar that she’s going to have to look at in the mirror every day to remind her, but she’s strong. Probably stronger than I am at the moment,” Tricia Rowan said.

Suspect’s past, tribe’s response

According to court records, Paya served five years in prison for a December 2015 robbery that involved a female victim. He was also ordered to undergo sex offender treatment.

The Havasupai Tribe issued a statement saying they are devastated by the assault and that it does not reflect the tribe’s values or the hospitality they extend to visitors.

Paya’s attorney responds

Paya’s attorney said the injuries reported are “serious, and no one should minimize the impact that an incident of this nature can have on everyone involved.”

He also said past criminal convictions are not proof of any new offense.