A hunter in Alabama discovered the body of an Ohio Walmart employee who had been missing for two months after embarking on a solo hiking expedition.
Vendula “Wendy” Rose, 41, a Czech Republic native who had lived in the United States for over two decades, was found on November 30 in a hammock approximately five miles from where she had left her vehicle at Cheaha State Park.
Rose departed from her home in Marysville, Ohio, on September 20, initiating what she told family members would be a hiking expedition to Alabama. Before leaving, she made several preparations that authorities later described as unusual, including leaving money at a bank and dropping off her work keys with her employer.
Law enforcement officials tracked Rose’s movements through multiple states. After arriving in Alabama, she traveled to South Carolina before returning to Alabama on September 24. Security cameras captured her final known movements at a store in Oxford, Alabama, approximately 60 miles from Birmingham.
When Rose failed to return to work, authorities launched a missing person investigation on October 4. Search teams located her silver Honda at the entrance to a trail at Cheaha State Park the following day. Inside the vehicle, investigators discovered what they described as “abnormal” notes and ammunition with seven rounds missing.
The search operation expanded to include rescue squads, K9 units, and mounted teams, covering more than 36 trail miles. Despite these efforts, Rose remained missing until the hunter located her body in what authorities described as “rough” terrain, secluded from main hiking paths.
The discovery site included a campsite with a camouflaged canopy that blended into the surrounding forest. Identification cards were found near the body, and dental records later confirmed Rose’s identity. Adam Downs of the Cleburne County Coroner’s Office stated that officials are still working to determine the cause of death, noting challenges with obtaining sufficient DNA evidence.
Rose’s daughter Dana expressed concern throughout the search, addressing various theories that circulated online regarding her mother’s disappearance. Sarah, Rose’s sister-in-law, posted on social media about the family finding closure, stating, “Although this was not the outcome we were hoping for we realize that having closure was a blessing.”
Rose was originally from Kolin, a small town in the Czech Republic. Her life took a romantic turn when she met her future husband David, who was visiting Prague. The chance encounter occurred when David needed directions, which led to him asking her to dance. According to their daughter Dana, this simple meeting blossomed into love. Rose immigrated to the United States in 2001 when she was 18 years old.
Beyond her main job in Walmart’s security department, Rose was a woman of diverse interests and talents. She trained dogs professionally, wrote poetry in her spare time, worked as a mechanic, conducted vehicle test drives, and enjoyed horseback riding. Her daughter Dana noted that her mother had a special connection to the outdoors, often expressing her dream of living in a cabin.
Law enforcement officials indicated they do not suspect foul play in the case. Investigators believe Rose may have been experiencing mental health challenges at the time of her disappearance.
