In Remote Part of National Park, Missing Woman's Car

Police have uncovered one big clue but no answers in the search for a 31-year-old Virginia woman who was last heard from on Wednesday. Nicole Mittendorff's 2009 Mini Cooper was found Saturday night in what the Washington Post describes as a "remote area" of the Shenandoah National Park; it was left near the Whiteoak Canyon Trail, which is close to Old Rag, described by the National Park Service as Shenandoah's "most popular and most dangerous hike." Some of Mittendorff's family suggested it's possible she was headed to the area to do a trail run, something she reportedly regularly did. Fox 5 DC reports authorities have said that nothing yet indicates something "suspicious in nature" occurred.

WUSA9 describes Mittendorff as "extremely dedicated" to her job as a firefighter; her father says she didn't show up for a changeover on Friday morning, and she was reported missing that day. A "Find Nicole" website and Facebook page have been set up. The latter features a Saturday night post from Mittendorff's husband, Steven, who "continues to ask for your prayers for both our family and the many who continue to investigate." As for the search, another post on the page notes the Virginia State Police "do not need volunteers and they've asked to keep away anyone outside the official effort. That will keep any changes, traces or other items undisturbed and prevent distractions." (More missing woman stories.)