Authorities have released a chilling update on the case of a hiker who went missing in Colorado 19 years ago.
According to the lawsuit, Michelle Vanek, 35, was last seen on the morning of September 24, 2005, while hiking from the Half Moon Campground in Minturn, CO. She was accompanied by a male hiker who told authorities that Vanek was getting tired as she approached the summit of Holy Cross Mountain. She reportedly told Vanek “if she wants to go back, just follow the trail and I'll catch up with her.” But when she returned to camp, her friend was nowhere to be found.
Vanek's friend also reported that, despite being a seasoned triathlete, he had little experience with high-altitude climbing and had run out of water earlier in the day. Authorities searched the area for eight days but found no sign of Vanek. The case remained cold until Sept. 14, when the Eagle County Sheriff's Office posted an update on Facebook offering “a glimmer of closure” in the missing hiker's case.
An all-female search party for Vanek’s remains found several items of clothing, a small backpack and hiking poles, “all of which are believed to have been with Michelle the day she disappeared,” the sheriff’s office said. “Each item is a reminder of the power of the human spirit, the unwavering dedication of these volunteers and the enduring hope of a family waiting for answers,” the statement said.
Forensic experts are currently examining the items found to confirm they belong to Vanek. “These personal items are tangible connections to a life that touched so many people. This discovery provides a moment of hope for Michelle’s family, friends and the volunteers who have been working tirelessly even as we await further confirmation,” the sheriff’s office said.
“Throughout all of this, we never gave up searching for Michelle. Her memory became a beacon of hope and determination that inspired everyone involved in the effort to bring her home,” the statement said, adding that the area where the items were found “will be preserved for future search efforts and out of respect for Michelle's memory.”