SUPAI, AZ (AZFamily) — 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 everyday 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.
“The Havasupai Tribe is devastated by the assault of a visitor in Supai on Wednesday, August 12, 2026. We want to be absolutely clear: violence against our visitors, our Tribal members, or anyone within our community is unacceptable and will not be condoned. The conduct alleged in this incident does not reflect the values of the Havasupai Tribe or the respect and hospitality that our community extends to the thousands of visitors who come to our homeland each year.
“We are especially grateful to the Tribal members who came to the victim’s aid and to law enforcement in bringing the suspect into custody.”
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 is not proof of any new offense.
“Recent media coverage concerning the allegations against Taylor Nardo Paya has understandably generated significant public attention.
“First, I want to reiterate that I sincerely hope the alleged victim makes a full recovery. The injuries described in the media are serious, and no one should minimize the impact that an incident of this nature can have on everyone involved.
“At the same time, Mr. Paya is entitled to the same constitutional protections afforded to every person accused of a crime in this country. He is presumed innocent, and the government bears the burden of proving every element of any charge against him beyond a reasonable doubt.
“Much of what has appeared publicly thus far consists of allegations, statements from individuals connected to the alleged victim, and selected portions of the government’s preliminary account of the incident. Those allegations have not yet been tested through the adversarial process, and the defense has not had a full opportunity to examine and challenge the government’s evidence.
“I am particularly concerned by attempts to use Mr. Paya’s past to suggest that he must therefore be guilty of the present allegations. A prior conviction is not proof that a person committed a new offense. Mr. Paya must be judged on the admissible evidence concerning this case—not on his past, media characterizations, or public emotion.
“There is unquestionably more to this case than can be conveyed through a brief video clip, a headline, or a social-media post. The appropriate place to determine what occurred is a courtroom, where evidence can be examined, witnesses can be questioned, and both sides can be heard.
“As Mr. Paya’s attorney, I intend to thoroughly investigate the allegations, carefully review the government’s evidence, and vigorously protect his constitutional rights.
“Until that process occurs, I ask the public and the media to remember a fundamental principle of our justice system: an accusation is not a conviction, and every accused person is presumed innocent unless and until the government proves otherwise beyond a reasonable doubt.”
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