Woman Disappeared After Going Camping at Alabama Park, Police Believe She’s ‘Suffering a Mental Health Crisis’

Mar. 15, 2025

Wendy Rose.Photo:Marysville Police Division

Marysville Police Division

Police in Ohio and Alabama are searching for a missing woman who they believe “is suffering a mental health crisis” after she left for a cross-state camping trip and did not return home a week later.

The Marysville Police Division in Ohio shared onFacebookthat they are investigating the disappearance of Vendula (Wendy) Rose, who was last seen on Sept. 24 after she “embarked on a camping trip to Alabama.”

The Cleburne County Sheriff’s Office in Alabama also released on Tuesday, Oct. 8 atimeline of eventsrelated to her disappearance using information from Rose’s family and friends along with data tracking technology that received information from her phone and car.

Police said that Rose spoke to her family and friends about taking a hiking trip in Alabama prior to Sept. 20 and “leaving some personal belongings in a Safe Deposit Box at her bank.” They also noted that she “left her work keys with her employer,” which was “abnormal” for her to do.

On Sept. 20 Rose entered Alabama and “arrived in the Dugger Mountain area of Cleburne/Calhoun County” and “hiked that portion of the Pinhoti Trail,” before eventually leaving Alabama three days later and traveling to South Carolina on Sept 24, according to police. She then returned to Cleburne County, Alabama in the afternoon.

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“The contents of the vehicle did produce multiple notes that were deemed as abnormal for Rose unless she was having a mental health crisis,” police noted. “A magazine as well as a box of ammunition missing seven rounds of ammunition was also located in the vehicle.”

“We still have no evidence that would lead us to believe that there is any foul play suspected in this case and do believe that Rose is suffering a mental health crisis,” police said.

The Cleburne County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation into her disappearance was still ongoing and asked anyone going on the Pinhoti Trail to keep an eye out for her belongings including a red backpack with a koala bear plushie, as well as a green tarp and gray sleeping bag.

“Local authorities are actively searching the surrounding area in an effort to locate Ms. Rose,” the Marysville Police Division said in their press release. The Cleburne County Sheriff’s Office said they have been using “helicopters and drones” to check “remote areas” off the trail and “other out of the way terrain.”

Deputies were also dispatched onto the Pinhoti Trail, and have searched 36 miles of trails on foot, a Marysville Police Division’s release said. Police noted that the search for Rose is continuing “utilizing drones” to reach “areas that are “difficult” or “impossible” to reach on foot or using “traditional air searches.” Police said independent hikers and other groups offered to help search for the woman on the trail as well.

“We want to take a moment to thank each and every agency and civilian who has helped with this case. There were so many volunteers, K9s, & Equine groups that assisted along with the Aviation Unit and other Law Enforcement Agencies,” police said in apost.

The investigation into Rose’s disappearance is still ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact the Cleburne County Sheriff’s Department at 256-463-2277.

If you or someone you know needs mental health help, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.

source: people.com