East Alabama police are asking hikers along the Pinhoti Trail to be on the lookout for an Ohio woman who never returned from a hiking trip more than three weeks ago.
The Cleburne County Sheriff’s Department said that Vendula “Wendy” Rose left her home in Marysville, Ohio, on September 20 and drove to the Dugger Mountain area in Alabama, where she hiked a portion of the long-distance Pinhoti Trail. A missing persons report was filed in Ohio on October 4 after Rose failed to return to work, and her car was found near the Pinhoti Trailhead in Cheaha State Park the next day.
Investigators used the car’s GPS, traffic cameras, and tag readers to track her movements after coming to Alabama. On September 23, the car traveled to South Carolina, arriving in the early hours on the 24th. She returned to Clerburne County that night. She was seen on surveillance video making a purchase in Oxford and leaving the business alone.
From Oxford, she drove to the Pinhoti Trailhead, where her car was later found. After finding the car, multiple agencies searched nearly 40 miles of trails in the area without finding a trace of the missing woman.
On October 7, investigators obtained a search warrant for the car, where they found “multiple notes that were deemed as abnormal for Rose unless she was having a mental health crisis.” They also found a weapon magazine and a box of ammunition missing seven rounds in the car. No other evidence has been located.
Investigators say that Rose told her family and friends she was heading to Alabama and had mentioned the Pinhoti Trail. She said she was leaving some personal items in a safe deposit box and left her work keys with her employer.
Cleburne County investigators said they don’t believe any foul play is involved but do believe Rose is suffering a mental health crisis.
Investigators provided photos of Rose and some of her equipment and asked anyone who may spot them to call Investigator Sims at 256-463-2277 ext. 110 or leave an anonymous tip at 256-463-2277 option 4.
