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Officials plead for public’s help in search for missing Fairfax County firefighter Officials plead for public’s help in search for missing Fairfax County firefighter
(about 4 hours later)
Authorities pleaded Tuesday for the public’s help in finding a missing Fairfax County firefighter as search-and-rescue efforts continued in Shenandoah National Park. The Fairfax County fire department normally responds to emergencies, but on Tuesday the fire chief said he was issuing his own urgent “911 call” for help in the mysterious disappearance of one of his firefighters.
Nicole K. Mittendorff, 31, of Woodbridge was reported missing Friday when she didn’t show up for work. She is described by family members as an avid runner and triathlete, and they have said they think she may have been in the park to use a running trail. Flanked by dozens of firefighters and a truck at Fire Station 32, Richard R. Bowers Jr. pleaded for tips from the public to help locate Nicole K. Mittendorff, who has been missing for nearly a week.
At a news conference Tuesday, her husband, Steven Mittendorff, said in a tearful plea that he had a message for his missing wife. “We are putting out a 911 call to the general public and media,” Bowers said at the press conference.
Mittendorff, 31, of Woodbridge, last contacted her family last Wednesday and her car was found on Saturday in Shenandoah National Park, prompting a search by aircraft, dogs and rescue teams that has so far turned up no sign of her. Virginia State Police said they have no evidence to indicate foul play at this point.
[Search widens for missing Fairfax County firefighter in Shenandoah National Park][Search widens for missing Fairfax County firefighter in Shenandoah National Park]
“Sweetheart, I love you,” he said. “I am praying for you. I’m not sure where you are, but know that we are all looking for you and I look forward to your safe return.” Steve Mittendorff, her husband and an officer with the Virginia State Police, also issued his own tearful plea at the press conference. Nicole Mittendorff’s sister and brother-in-law, who is also a Fairfax County firefighter, stood nearby.
He described the uncertainty, not knowing “where a loved one is,” as being “unbearable.” Officials asked for any leads from the public in Mittendorff’s disappearance. “Sweetheart, I love you,” Steve Mittendorff said. “I am praying for you. I’m not sure where you are, but know that we are all looking for you and I look forward to your safe return.”
Fairfax County Fire Chief Richard R. Bowers Jr. said at the news conference, “We are putting out a 911 call to the general public and media to help find” Mittendorff. Steve Mittendorff said it was “unbearable” not knowing where his wife was. He and Bowers did not offer new information about the circumstances surrounding her disappearance and did not take questions.
A prayer vigil for Mittendorff is planned for Wednesday evening at Fairview Station 32, on Burke Centre Parkway, where she works. Mittendorff, who is also a paramedic, is described as being a happy person who always wants to help people, fire officials said. She has been with the fire department for three years. Mittendorff’s family members and the firefighters bowed their heads in a moment of silence to pray for Nicole Mittendorff at one point during the press conference.
On Tuesday, as the fire chief spoke, dozens of firefighters stood nearby in the garage of the fire station and looked on somberly. Some wiped away tears from their eyes. Nicole Mittendorff’s father wrote in a message posted on Facebook that she failed to show up for work on Friday. He wrote that was unusual for her and Virginia State Police said Steve Mittendorff reported her missing on Friday.
The search for Mittendorff began when she didn’t show up for a morning shift at her job Friday, according to a Facebook post from her father, Robert Clardy. That was not like her, and it raised concerns. Nicole Mittendorff’s father wrote that his daughter’s last contact was a text message around 10:50 a.m. last Wednesday. Her last known location was in Warrenton, Va. and Mittendorff may have traveled to Shenandoah National Park to train, since she is an avid runner and triathlete.
Her family has set up a website, Find-Nicole.com. A Shenandoah National Park ranger found Nicole Mittendorff’s cream-colored 2009 Mini Cooper in a pullout near Whiteoak Canyon Trail shortly before 8 p.m. on Saturday, Virginia State Police said. The trail is close to Old Rag, a mountain that is popular with hikers.
Mittendorff last had contact with her father in a text message about 10:50 a.m. Wednesday. Her last known location was in Warrenton, Va.
[Vehicle found at Shenandoah National Park, search for missing woman continues][Vehicle found at Shenandoah National Park, search for missing woman continues]
Over the weekend, a park ranger found Mittendorff’s cream-colored 2009 Mini Cooper parked near the popular hiking spot of Old Rag Mountain. Officials would not give any indication about what, if anything, was found inside the car. Park officials closed some trails in that area to search. Virginia State Police said searchers spent Sunday combing the area. About 100 federal, state and volunteer searchers returned on Monday as the search expanded from Whiteoak Canyon Trail to others in the surrounding area. The search resumed on Tuesday morning and included members of the Fairfax County fire department that are part of a K-9 search and rescue team.
On Monday, officials said there is “still no evidence to indicate anything suspicious” about Mittendorff’s disappearance, according to a statement. Crews stopped looking at sundown Monday, because of the “steep, challenging terrain” in part of the forest, and search efforts resumed Tuesday. Virginia State Police said the area is mountainous and densely forested, so the search has been difficult. Police have declined to say whether anything was found in Mittendorff’s car that might indicate what happened to her, or where she was headed.
The search effort has focused around the White Oak Canyon Trail in Madison County. The Virginia State Police and U.S. Park Police are using officers trained in search-and-rescue tasks, dogs and aircraft. Bowers, the fire chief, said on Tuesday the department said it had no indication Mittendorff was in any kind of trouble in the days and weeks before she disappeared. He described her as “high performer,” who loved her job and was respected by her peers. Her locker at the station was filled with gear Tuesday, as if she had just finished her shift.
Some members of the fire department who are part of a K-9 search-and-rescue team have also gone to the national park to help in the search. An Appalachian Trail hiking group is also helping. A prayer service was held for Mittendorff on Monday night at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Woodbridge and the fire department was planning another vigil for her at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday at Station 32 in Burke.
On Tuesday at the news conference, colleagues and family described Mittendorff as a “high performer” in her time at the fire department. Bowers said she was “dedicated, respected and well liked among her peers and colleagues.” Steve and Nicole Mittendorff’s wedding web site describes her as an “Air Force brat through and through,” who graduated from high school in Michigan and earned a degree in psychology from George Mason University. The web site said she had previously worked as a business analyst.
Mittendorff’s husband is listed in an online profile as a first sergeant and the area commander for the Arlington Field Office of the Virginia State Police. Mittendorff comes from a family of law enforcement officers and firefighters.
Her sister, Jennifer Clardy Chalmers, said Sunday that the family was “holding up as best as can be expected under difficult circumstances.”
“At this time, we are focused on finding Nicole and have the deepest appreciation for everyone helping,” Chalmers said. “We hope and pray for a safe resolution in the near future.”
Mittendorff is described as being white with blond hair and green eyes. She is about 5-foot-6 and weighs about 125 pounds.Mittendorff is described as being white with blond hair and green eyes. She is about 5-foot-6 and weighs about 125 pounds.
Anyone with information is asked to call 703-803-0026 or email information to questions@vsp.virginia.gov.Anyone with information is asked to call 703-803-0026 or email information to questions@vsp.virginia.gov.