Found Deceased CO - Christine Cummings, 32, possibly hiking, Fort Collins, 29 Dec 2020

[swedeheart]

Per FCPS, Facebook update:

1/5/20 - FCPS is still actively working to locate Christine Cummings. We have been partnering with local agencies to search local outdoor areas where she might have gone. Based on the facts of the ongoing investigation, detectives believe that she left home on her own accord. Foul play is not suspected. We appreciate the care and concern that community members have shown, and we ask that people call police if they have information about where Christine or her vehicle might be located.

 

[GuyfromCanada]

Friends of Christine Cummings said the Fort Collins residents' uncharacteristic disappearance for more than a week has them gravely concerned about her well-being.

They fear Cummings, 32, who moved to Fort Collins a couple years ago to be closer to the outdoors she loved, may have ventured into the outdoors unprepared.

More at Friends of missing Colorado woman fear for her life

 

[PommyMommy]

JAN 5, 2021
Friends of missing Colorado woman fear for her life (coloradoan.com)
[...]

"It is uncommon that we haven't heard from her for more than a week,'' said friend KHT, who met Cummings while both were going to graduate school in Washington, D.C. "What concerns me more is that she doesn't have the right gear to go on an outdoor adventure in winter and be successful.''

[...]

According to friends, Cummings' last communication was the evening of Dec. 29 when she texted a friend that she returned safely to Fort Collins after visiting family in Granger, Indiana, just outside of South Bend, for Christmas. The friend said a neighbor saw Cummings' vehicle at her residence that day.

[...]

Friends said her hiking boots were gone from the house but that all of her other outdoor gear and equipment that she would have taken on a winter outdoor adventure was still in the house.

[...]

... a Facebook group was established to ask people to look for Cummings' 2015 Black SUV with license plate EOL263 and the "J'' missing from Jeep.

As of Tuesday morning, more than 75 trailheads and other recreational areas sites had been searched stretching from local natural areas and open spaces to the Boulder area to Rocky Mountain National Park, without the vehicle being found, according to the site.

[...]

Rocky Mountain National Park spokeswoman Kyle Patterson stated in an email Tuesday afternoon that Fort Collins police notified park staff Saturday regarding Cummings' situation. She said park rangers have looked for her vehicle with no success but that they also notified other national parks in the region to be on the lookout for Cummings and her vehicle.

[...]

Friends said Cummings was married but that she and her husband separated and that her husband moved from Fort Collins back to the East Coast in the fall.

KHT and HR said they knew her husband since they all met while in grad school in Washington D.C. They said he has been helpful in providing police access to their Fort Collins house, Cummings' favorite trails and passwords.

[...]

 

[osu]

I’ve read where some locals said that there was a “very slippery snow” that feel in Fort Collins on the 28th-29th. I’m wondering if there are any lakes or ponds nearby her home and she slid off the road? How many times have we heard of someone and their vehicle going missing only to be discovered months later submerged in a lake?

JMO

 

[osu]

New news video from 9 News
5:07 PM MST January 5, 2021

Police looking for missing Fort Collins woman | 9news.com

 

[osu]

It looks like there’s a river and couple of lakes within the city of Fort Collins.

 

[WildcatRunner]

I’ve read where some locals said that there was a “very slippery snow” that feel in Fort Collins on the 28th-29th. I’m wondering if there are any lakes or ponds nearby her home and she slid off the road? How many times have we heard of someone and their vehicle going missing only to be discovered months later submerged in a lake?

JMO

I'm close to Ft. Collins. It did snow, but it didn't get slippery until later in the day on the 28th (well after dark), and roads were fine by probably 10am on the 29th. And even then, they weren't nearly as bad as many days here in Colorado. So that could have happened, but not highly likely, IMO. We also don't have a lot of deep water near roads. Especially this year, it's been VERY dry.
Not disputing/dismissing your thoughts, just giving a local insight.
It would be more apt the car went off a road that is elevated, and it's on dry ground and someone hasn't looked over the edge in the right place. Much more likely than in water, but it still wasn't REALLY slick, by Colorado standards.

 

[Wild Rose]

A week is so long. If she got disoriented in her hike and lost, that could be so scary for her.

 

[WildcatRunner]

Friends said her hiking boots were gone from the house but that all of her other outdoor gear and equipment that she would have taken on a winter outdoor adventure was still in the house.

Running with this....this makes me think she DIDN'T go hiking. Obviously her friends know her, and I don't, so I'm purely speculating, but we've had amazing weather all winter here in Denver/Ft. Collins. The first day we've had some snow that would still be on hiking trails, you'd choose to go out without any other gear?? For me, and my other friends here, no. We'd know the forecast was nice in the next few days, and postpone the hiking trip, but we would wear our hiking boots to run errands or go somewhere else, for a little traction in the unplowed grocery store parking lot, and to keep our feet warm. I think only her boots being gone says she was doing something besides hiking.

 

[AmandaSkis]

How do her friends know what hiking clothes/gear she has? It really surprised me to read that her friends are saying she has only her boots. How do friends know this? My partner wouldn’t even know what gear I took with me or left behind.

 

[swedeheart]

 

[Seattle1]

What makes the friends think she went hiking? Do we know what the court hearing is for?

The Larimar County court date on Jan 12 is for a status hearing -- based on the case number, it's in family court so I'm assuming it's about a pending divorce.

Reportedly, her estranged husband relocated East last fall after the couple separated. Reports are they met when attending grad school in DC.

Friends of missing Colorado woman fear for her life

 

[PommyMommy]

How do her friends know what hiking clothes/gear she has? It really surprised me to read that her friends are saying she has only her boots. How do friends know this? My partner wouldn’t even know what gear I took with me or left behind.

I think they'd probably know what her pack looks like. And, she may keep it ready with tent, sleeping bag, rain cover, flashlight, multitool, compass, whistle, toilet paper, socks, raincoat/pants, gloves, gaiters, water bottle, first aid kit, fire starter, headlamp and on and on... The Coloradoan article above said "gear and equipment," so I think that would be hard to miss if it is still at her home. MOO

 

[Seattle1]

How do her friends know what hiking clothes/gear she has? It really surprised me to read that her friends are saying she has only her boots. How do friends know this? My partner wouldn’t even know what gear I took with me or left behind.

Friends appearing in this video newscast also shared photos that appear to be with Christine outdoors. She also seems to be very organized and I can see where it would be visually evident that all her long-term gear was still in her home. If her estranged spouse just moved away last fall -- they could have been recent visitors. I'm just glad that they reported her missing and her news is getting media attention.

Police looking for missing Fort Collins woman | 9news.com

 

[Seattle1]

I'm actually surprised that her vehicle has not been located.

 

[Nancy19XX]

IME when you live or travel to remote areas often - you keep a go-bag in the vehicle. Essentials like water, blanket, etc. And I'm sure even more of you are going in more remote areas.

I would hope she's prepared, but I so worry that almost a week has passed without sight of her or her vehicle. I will keep hope like one of the recent stories in California where Holly and her dogs were found safe, just unable to drive down the mountain. MOO I remain hopeful!

 

[Seattle1]

Login • Instagram

Her Instagram is titled SimplifyingHome where she describes herself as a designer of simple [home] spaces. Very organized environment! MOO

 

[osu]

DBM

 

[osu]

Reading from Christine’s friend that her Jeep has been located at a trailhead in the Poudre Canyon. Larimer County Search and Rescue have begun searching. . Authorities asking that volunteers wait to help with the search due to safety risks. Christine’s friends asking for prayers.

JMO

 

[swedeheart]

Reading from Christine’s friend that her Jeep has been located at a trailhead in the Poudre Canyon. Larimer County Search and Rescue have begun searching. . Authorities asking that volunteers wait to help with the search due to safety risks. Christine’s friends asking for prayers.

JMO

Post from her friend leading the search:

* Update 1/6- Christine’s jeep has been •
located at a trailhead in the Poudre Canyon. Larimer County Search and Rescue has started. Authorities ask that volunteers wait to help with the search because of safety risks. Please continue to keep her in your hearts, thoughts, & prayers