CLEBURNE COUNTY, Ala. (WIAT) -- The Cleburne County Sheriff's Office provided an update Tuesday afternoon on a missing Ohio woman whose car was found around Cheaha State Park.
The CCSO stated it now believes Vendula "Wendy" Rose is suffering a mental health crisis. A box missing seven rounds of ammunition was found in her silver Honda Accord. There were also notes discovered in the vehicle that police determined as abnormal for Rose unless she was going through a mental health crisis.
The sheriff's office stated that before Sept. 20, Rose spoke with family and friends regarding a hiking trip in Alabama. She discussed leaving some of her possessions in a safe deposit box at a bank. Rose gave her work keys to her employer, which law enforcement noted was unusual for her before taking a trip.
Rose, a resident of Marysville, Ohio, departed the state for Alabama on Sept. 20. She arrived in Alabama later that day in the Dugger Mountain area of Cleburne and Calhoun counties. The sheriff's office wrote she hiked that portion of the Pinhoti Trail.
Rose left Alabama on Sept. 23, and she arrived in South Carolina in the early morning hours of Sept. 24. Rose returned to Cleburne County that evening. She then went to Oxford, and police confirmed she completed a purchase at a business and left it by herself. She then went to Cheaha State Park, where her vehicle was parked at the head of the Pinhoti Trail, which is just outside the park's area.
A missing person report was filed in Marysville on Friday after Rose did not come to work as scheduled. The following day, the CCSO was told the Accord belonging to Rose was the head of the Pinhoti Trail. CCSO units arrived at the lot, and with the assistance of a park ranger, a search for her in the park started.
There was a ground search Sunday covering about 36 trail miles. Volunteers from the law enforcement agencies, rescue squads, fire departments and K-9 teams helped search the area.
Rose's Honda was processed Monday, and that is where the notes and box of ammunition were found. A firearm magazine was also discovered. The vehicle's GPS data was analyzed to confirm Rose's locations and when they occurred.
The CCSO stated Tuesday all of Rose's known locations have been checked, and no other evidence has been found. Law enforcement stated it does not suspect foul play. The CCSO thinks Rose intended of traveling the Pinhoti Trail north of Cheaha State Park toward Dugger Mountain.
Her family mentioned Rose showed interest to the Pinhoti Trail and Appalachian Trail. Those who are on any trails in Cleburne County are urged to search for Rose or any of her belongings, which are shown below.
Anyone with information on Rose's whereabouts are urged to call Investigator Sims of the CCSO at 256-463-2278, ext. 110. Those who want to remain anonymous can call the sheriff's office tip line at 256-463-2277, option 4.