UPDATE: November 12, 2016 3:38PM MDT
Jon Schmidt has confirmed the remains are those of his daughter:
We just received word from the medical examiner that the remains found yesterday have been positively identified as Annie.
You have lived this trial with us and we pray that this may bring a greater level of resolution and peace for all of us.
Much love
The Schmidts
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Tonight, Jon Schmidt shared the bittersweet news that the remains of his missing daughter, Annie Schmidt, have likely been found.
“We are VERY hopeful for closure tonight,” Jon shared on social media. “Today the dog teams found human remains at the bottom of a cliff in the area below Munra Point. The area is so far off trail and dense with vegetation that it required SAR to pretty much crawl uphill to get there.”
“Conclusive identification of the remains is impossible. The medical examiner will have conclusive identity verification by Monday or Tuesday. There is comfort in knowing from the circumstances that there would have been no suffering.
We can positively identify the clothing and personal items found at the site as belonging to Annie.
The Sheriff’s department is making a public statement that there is reason to believe that Annie has been found, awaiting conclusive evidence from the medical examination.”
In spite of the heartbreaking conclusion, the entire Schmidt family shared their gratitude to God and their thanks to all who have supported them.
“There is no way to thank our Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ for the support we have felt through you. You have searched with us, prayed with us, hoped with us, fasted with us, supported us and sacrificed for us. We thank you from the very bottom of our hearts!!!!”
Annie was last heard from on October 16, 2016, when she used social media to indicate she was going hiking. When she never returned, hundreds gathered to Oregon to search for her. After an exhaustive effort, the official efforts were concluded. However, the family and volunteer workers continued on. More information on any official reports about this finding will be added as they become available.
Aleah is a graduate of Southern Virginia University, where she studied English, Creative Writing, and Dance. She now works full time as a marketing and product manager, writer, and editor. She currently hosts the podcast “Single to the Glory” about singlehood in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Aleah served a mission in California and loves baking, Lang Leav poetry, Gaynor Minden pointe shoes, and Bollywood movies.
