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Nicole Mittendorff Found Dead: Suicide Note, Body Found In Search For Missing Virginia Firefighter

By Nathan Francis
Published on: 06:56 PST, Apr 22, 2016

Nicole Mittendorff has been found dead, with police saying the body of the missing Virginia firefighter was discovered in Shenandoah National Park on Thursday with a suicide note left in her car.

Crews had searched throughout the weekend and into this week for Mittendorff, whose car was found abandoned on Saturday in a parking lot inside the expansive park. On Thursday, a team of National Park Service and Virginia State Police personnel found the remains of a woman within the targeted search area, NBC Washington reported. While there is still no positive identification pending an examination from a local medical examiner, friends identified the body as Mittendorff.

Police said a suicide note was found in Mittendorff’s car, which was close to where her remains were found.

“The physical and digital evidence collected during the course of this investigation — to include a note recovered from her car — leads us to believe there was no foul play involved in her death,” a state police representative said.

Police did not say the manner in which Mittendorff may have died or provide further details on how her body was located.

The search for Nicole Mittendorff became national news as media outlets picked up on the story of the missing 31-year-old. Her family members had been holding out hope, and there were indications that Nicole had gone missing while training for a marathon. A Facebook page dedicated to her disappearance noted that Mittendorff “likes to compete in multi-sport events such as triathlons and regularly runs half marathons [and] can often be found riding and running on trails.”

Friends and family became alarmed when Nicole Mittendorff failed to show up for her shift at the Merrifield fire station, NBC News reported. Those close to Mittendorff said she was normally very reliable, and it was out of character for her to go missing without warning.

Although the search for Mittendorff stretched for more than four days with no sign of her, family members said they remained hopeful.

“We are holding up as best as can be expected under difficult circumstances,” Mittendorff’s sister, Jennifer Chalmers, told the Washington Post (via Fox News). “At this time we are focused on finding Nicole and have the deepest appreciation for everyone helping. We hope and pray for a safe resolution in the near future.”

It was Mittendorff’s family who shared news that she had been found dead on Thursday, writing on the Find Nicole website, “Nicole has been found. Our hearts are broken. We thank you for your support and [we] ask that you keep our family in your prayers in the challenging days ahead.”

After news of Nicole Mittendorff’s death was released, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department also expressed condolences to her friends and family.

“I, along with the men and women of the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, are profoundly saddened to learn that the body found earlier today in the Shenandoah National Park is thought to be that of Firefighter-Paramedic Nicole Mittendorff,” said Fairfax County Fire Chief Richard Bower. “As we wait for further information, we continue to extend our thoughts and prayers to Nicole’s friends and family.”

A picture of Mittendorff in her firefighter’s uniform was also displayed outside the fire station along with a bouquet of flowers.

Police said they will conduct an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death for Nicole Mittendorff.

[Image via Facebook]

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