An Ohio Walmart employee, missing for two months following a solo hiking trip, has been found dead in Alabama by a hunter.
The deceased, Vendula “Wendy” Rose, 41, originally from the Czech Republic and a long-time resident of the United States, was found on November 30. Her body was in a hammock about five miles from her parked vehicle in Cheaha State Park.
Rose left her Marysville, Ohio, home on September 20, purportedly for a hiking trip to Alabama. Prior to her departure, she made several arrangements which law enforcement later deemed unusual, such as depositing money at a bank and leaving her work keys with her employer.
Officials tracked Rose’s journey through multiple states. After reaching Alabama, she went to South Carolina, and then came back to Alabama on September 24. Surveillance footage showed her last known location at a store in Oxford, Alabama, which is approximately 60 miles from Birmingham.
When Rose did not return to work, a missing person investigation was initiated on October 4. The following day, search teams found her silver Honda at the entrance of a Cheaha State Park trail. Inside the vehicle, they uncovered unusual notes and ammunition, with seven rounds missing.
The search effort expanded to involve rescue squads, K9 units, and mounted teams, covering over 36 trail miles. Despite these extensive operations, Rose was not found until a hunter came across her body in a secluded and difficult-to-navigate area, distant from main hiking trails.
The location where the body was found featured a camouflaged campsite that blended with the surrounding woods. Near the body, identification cards were discovered, and dental records later confirmed Rose’s identity. The Cleburne County Coroner’s Office, represented by Adam Downs, stated that the cause of death is still under investigation, with DNA evidence proving to be a challenge to gather.
Throughout the search, Rose’s daughter Dana expressed her worries about various theories circulating online about her mother’s disappearance. Rose’s sister-in-law, Sarah, posted on social media about the family’s relief at finding closure, stating, “Although this was not the outcome we were hoping for we realize that having closure was a blessing.”
Rose was born in Kolin, a small town in the Czech Republic. She met her future husband David in a romantic encounter in Prague when David was visiting and asked Rose for directions, which led to a dance invitation. According to their daughter Dana, the encounter blossomed into love, and Rose moved to the United States in 2001 at the age of 18.
Apart from her work in Walmart’s security department, Rose was talented and had diverse interests. She professionally trained dogs, enjoyed writing poetry, worked as a mechanic, tested vehicles, and rode horses. Dana noted that her mother loved the outdoors and dreamt of living in a cabin.
Officials have stated that foul play is not suspected in Rose’s case. They believe Rose may have been dealing with mental health issues at the time of her disappearance.