Investigators believe a body found near an Alabama state park over the weekend is that of a hiker who disappeared in the area in October.
A hunter found the body on Saturday morning, about five miles northeast of Cheaha State Park, the Cleburne County Sheriff’s Department said.
Investigators said evidence indicated the body is Vendula “Wendy” Rose,” an Ohio woman who drove to Alabama on September 20 to go hiking.
Rose was reported missing on October 4 when she didn’t return to work, as CrimeOnline reported. 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.
The sheriff’s department plans to make a statement about the discovery later Monday.
“We ask that you please continue to remember this family in your prayers,” they said.
