Authorities Reveal Chilling Update in 19-Year-Old Case of Missing Hiker

Authorities have issued a chilling update in the case of a hiker who went missing 19 years ago in Colorado.

Michelle Vanek, 35, was last seen on the morning of September 24, 2005, as she departed for a hike from the Half Moon Campground in Minturn, CO, according to the case file. She was in the company of a male hiker, who told authorities that Vanek became fatigued as they neared the summit of the Mount of the Holy Cross. He reportedly told Vanke that “if she wanted to head back down, to follow the trail and he would catch up with her.” But when he returned to camp, his friend was nowhere to be found.

Vanek’s companion further reported that, while she was an experienced tri-athlete, she 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 turned up no sign of Vanek. The case remained cold until Sept. 14, when the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office posted an update to Facebook offering a “glimmer of closure” in the missing hiker’s case.

An all-female search team looking for Vanek’s remains came across several articles of clothing, a small backpack, and hiking poles—"all of which are thought to have been with Michelle the day she vanished," the sheriff's office reported. “Each item serves as a reminder of the strength of the human spirit, the unwavering dedication of these volunteers, and the enduring hope of a family waiting for answers,” the statement continued.

Forensic experts are now examining the found items to confirm they belong to Vanek. “These personal items are tangible connections to a life that touched so many. This discovery offers a moment of hope for Michelle’s family, friends, and the volunteers who have worked tirelessly, even as they await further confirmation,” the sheriff’s office said.

“Through it all, we’ve never stopped searching for Michelle. Her memory has been a beacon of hope and determination, inspiring every person involved in the effort to bring her home,” the statement concluded, before adding that the area in which the items were found will “remain protected, out of respect for future search efforts and Michelle’s memory.”