This article is from the source 'washpo' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/search-for-missing-fairfax-county-firefighter-enters-sixth-day/2016/04/21/d0a83361-0853-4509-a25a-0a674b611cb3_story.html

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Body found near scene of search for missing firefighter, officials say Body found near scene of search for missing firefighter, officials say
(35 minutes later)
Search teams discovered a woman’s body in Shenandoah National Park Thursday, following six days of intensive searching for a missing Fairfax County firefighter whose car was found in the park last Saturday, according to the National Park Service. Search teams discovered a woman’s body in Shenandoah National Park Thursday, following six days of intensive searching for a missing Fairfax County firefighter whose car was found in the park last Saturday, according to the Virginia State Police.
Officials did not immediately say whether the body was that of Nicole K. Mittendorff, 31, of Woodbridge. But they said in a press release that the remains were discovered in a remote location more than a mile from the Whiteoak Canyon Trail parking area where Mittendorff's Mini Cooper was left. Officials did not immediately say whether the body was that of Nicole K. Mittendorff, 31, of Woodbridge, but said the search for her had been suspended. They said in a press release that the remains were discovered in a remote location a little over a mile from the Whiteoak Canyon Trail parking area where Mittendorff's Mini Cooper was left.
Virginia State Police and National Park Service personnel discovered the body around 2 p.m. about 330 yards from the trail in treacherous rocky terrain, the release said. Investigators are still processing the scene. Virginia State Police and National Park Service personnel discovered the body around 2 p.m. about 330 yards from the trail in treacherous rocky terrain, officials said. Investigators were still processing the scene on Thursday evening.
Mittendorff’s family posted on Facebook that they were devastated by the news.Mittendorff’s family posted on Facebook that they were devastated by the news.
“Our hearts are broken,” the message read. “We thank you for your support and ask that you keep our family in your prayers in the challenging days ahead.”“Our hearts are broken,” the message read. “We thank you for your support and ask that you keep our family in your prayers in the challenging days ahead.”
National Park Service and Virginia State Police will conduct a press conference at 7:30 p.m. to discuss the case.National Park Service and Virginia State Police will conduct a press conference at 7:30 p.m. to discuss the case.
Virginia state police said Wednesday night that physical and digital evidence that they have collected has been critical in focusing the search operations. Mittendorff was last in touch with her family a little over a week ago. Virginia state police said Wednesday that physical and digital evidence that they have collected has been critical in focusing the search operations.
Nearly 80 personnel from the National Park Service, Virginia state police and other groups combed locations near the Hawksbill and Crescent Rocks area Wednesday. Mittendorff’s family had previously said files on Mittendorff's cellphone that were given to law enforcement officials Wednesday might provide key evidence to locate her. State police have declined to comment on what that evidence is, and the family would not discuss it. State police have previously said there was no indication of foul play in the case, but Mittendorff's disappearance has drawn widespread interest and press coverage.
Mittendorff’s family had previously said files on Mittendorff's cellphone that were given to law enforcement officials Wednesday might provide key evidence to locate her. State police have declined to comment on what that evidence is, and the family is not discussing it. State police have previously said there was no indication of foul play in the case. The discovery of the body comes a day after family members and colleagues held a vigil for Mittendorff in Burke, Va., at Fire Station 32, where Mittendorff worked as a firefighter and paramedic. They distributed ribbons and lit a candle they said would burn until Mittendorff was returned home.
The discovery of the body comes after family members and colleagues held a vigil for Mittendorff on Wednesday night in Burke, Va., at Fire Station 32, where Mittendorff worked as a firefighter and paramedic. Relatives of Mittendorff, 31, of Woodbridge said they last had contact with her via a text message on the morning of April 13. Fairfax County fire department officials said she called in sick that day. Mittendorff was officially reported missing when she failed to show for work last Friday. Relatives of Mittendorff said they last had contact with her via a text message shortly before 11 a.m. on April 13. Fairfax County fire department officials said she called in sick that day. Mittendorff was officially reported missing when she failed to show for work last Friday. A park ranger found her car in a pullout in Shenandoah National Park on Saturday night and the searches for her began in the park. They involved aircraft, dogs and trained search teams.
Jennifer Clardy Chalmers, Mittendorff’s sister, thanked everyone who participated in the vigil. Mittendorff's family surmised she may have traveled to the Shenandoah to train because she is an avid runner and triathlete.
“We are very touched by the outpouring of support from everyone at the vigil,” Chalmers wrote in an email. “It was an emotional evening and our family is unable to find words to adequately say thank you to everyone involved. Police, fire, extended family, friends and even strangers have all offered support.” Mittendorff's disappearance drew an outpouring of support from her colleagues, who staged press conferences seeking tips to find her and Wednesday's vigil. Mittendorff's husband is a Virginia State Police trooper and her brother-in-law is a firefighter in Fairfax County. Jennifer Clardy Chalmers, Mittendorff’s sister, wrote in an email message that the support had not gone unnoticed.
“We are very touched by the outpouring of support from everyone at the vigil,” Chalmers wrote in an email earlier on Thursday. “It was an emotional evening and our family is unable to find words to adequately say thank you to everyone involved. Police, fire, extended family, friends and even strangers have all offered support.”