Missing Hiker Presumably Found Dead in Alabama Woods – Crime Online

Investigators believe the body found over the weekend near an Alabama state park is that of a hiker who disappeared in the area in October.

A hunter found the body Saturday morning about five miles northeast of Cheaha State Park, the Cleburne County Sheriff’s Department said.

Investigators say the body is that of Vendula “Wendy” Rose,” an Ohio woman who drove to Alabama to hike on Sept. 20.

Rose was reported missing on Oct. 4 when she failed to return to work, CrimeOnline reported. Her car was found the next day near the Pinhoti Trailhead in Cheaha State Park.

Investigators used GPS, traffic cameras and car tag readers to track their movements after they arrived in Alabama. On September 23rd the car traveled to South Carolina and arrived in the early morning hours of the 24th. She returned to Clerburne County that night. Surveillance video showed her making a purchase in Oxford and leaving the store.

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 any trace of the missing woman.

On October 7, investigators obtained a search warrant for the car, where they found “several notes that were considered unusual for Rose to have unless she was experiencing a mental health crisis.” They also found a gun magazine and a box of ammunition that was missing seven cartridges. No further evidence was found.

The sheriff’s department plans to release a statement on the discovery later Monday.

“We ask that you continue to remember this family in your prayers,” they said.

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(Featured Image: Wendy Rose and her backpack/Cleburne County Sheriff’s Department)