Found Deceased PA - Nicole Ebaugh, 29, missing from park, Springfield Twp, 6 Mar 2021

[K9Enzo]

We have a tendency to think cellular service is much more universal than it is. It's certainly improved in the past decade or so, but there are still places lacking coverage in the Berkshires and Catskills as well. I can only imagine that there are vast swaths of the Adirondacks that are signal-free.

We also had some trouble getting cell service in the Smokies/western NC in late 2019. It's most likely similar in much of the vast rural West.

You are spot on with the Adirondacks. There are many areas where we backpack and there's zero cell reception or it's spotty, not reliable. For that reason, we always carry a PLB. No thanks to a compound fracture, blown knee, head injury, being lost or any other emergency and being helpless outdoors. IMO

 

[borndem]

You are spot on with the Adirondacks. There are many areas where we backpack and there's zero cell reception or it's spotty, not reliable. For that reason, we always carry a PLB. No thanks to a compound fracture, blown knee, head injury, being lost or any other emergency and being helpless outdoors. IMO

If this is so, maybe that's why she didn't take it with her. Just a thought. Regardless, I would still take it with me...
But, as said earlier, maybe she just forgot it. SMH.
Still hoping for a good result. It sounds like the search is quite sophisticated this time. <sigh>

 

[borndem]

I have Verizon service and always use my phone to track my rides. If I recall correctly, service on that trail is excellent. The area is reasonably flat with no mountains to block cell service.

Uh-oh. Not good news. SMH.

 

[borndem]

Some of the comments from the search crew leadership or LE sound like they suspect harm to her or harming herself.
I hope the dogs in the search are trained for rescue and some dogs for recovery. Dogs are amazing on many of these types of searches.

 

[K9Enzo]

If this is so, maybe that's why she didn't take it with her. Just a thought. Regardless, I would still take it with me...
But, as said earlier, maybe she just forgot it. SMH.
Still hoping for a good result. It sounds like the search is quite sophisticated this time. <sigh>

I think it should be a best practice to bring a cell phone while hiking or even a leisurely stroll on a well marked trail, well known trail, walking the dog in the neighborhood, etc. If she did leave her phone in the car, maybe she didn't want to carry it, wanted to disconnect from it. Those are a few random reasons that come to mind. Someone with knowledge of the area (in this thread) said cell reception in their experience has been fine in that area. I know not everyone is going to invest in a PLB if they mainly do local hikes on simple to moderate trails. IMO

 

[carbuff]

One reason I might not bring my phone is if the outfit I'm wearing doesn't have an adequate pocket to put it in.

 

[PommyMommy]

MAR 11, 2021
South Central PA Search & Rescue | Facebook
NOTIFICATION... Public Notice... Springfield Twp.; Heritage Rail Trail County Park Search Update... Search Efforts and Law Enforcement Investigations are still active and continuing. The Search was never ended only scaled back so other resources could be called in to assist. Local Authorities have NOT given approval for the General Public to join the search efforts... there are many reasons that only trained and equipped search crews have been searching. We assure you that all of the agencies involved are doing their best to find this lost person.

PLEASE if you are out in this area do not approach the search teams as they are working. Do not approach or attempt to pet any of the search K9s or search Horses. Please keep your children and your own animals away from the SAR K9s as they are working and they need room to work. This is for everyones safety.

IF you see something out of the ordinary or you find someone who is lost or hurt please call 911. DO NOT photograph or take pictures just keep your distance and call 911. We assure you that every day there have been search teams and investigators out doing their best to locate Nicole.

Please if you want to help... check your property, wooded areas, sheds, out buildings, ect... check cctv cameras, trail cameras, security devices and if you see this woman or anything out if the ordinary please call 911 and report it! Thank you for your support and cooperation with this as we continue to try and find Nicole. SCPASAR SEARCH 93

 

[zecats]

One reason I might not bring my phone is if the outfit I'm wearing doesn't have an adequate pocket to put it in.

Personally I would take my phone anyway. In fact, we went hiking just yesterday and I discovered I had no pockets and didn't carry a pack...so I carried my phone. It was a short local state park and I only used it to take photos, which is one reason I always like to have the phone.

We still have no definite answer if she indeed had her phone with her, or it it was left behind, say, in her car. Is that right?

 

[sparrow_]

You are spot on with the Adirondacks. There are many areas where we backpack and there's zero cell reception or it's spotty, not reliable. For that reason, we always carry a PLB. No thanks to a compound fracture, blown knee, head injury, being lost or any other emergency and being helpless outdoors. IMO

What is a PLB?

 

[Deanna426]

You are spot on with the Adirondacks. There are many areas where we backpack and there's zero cell reception or it's spotty, not reliable. For that reason, we always carry a PLB. No thanks to a compound fracture, blown knee, head injury, being lost or any other emergency and being helpless outdoors. IMO

Yup, we are in the process of buying a house where the Adirondack Park is literally just beyond the backyard. We have no cell service there.

 

[PommyMommy]

What is a PLB?

Personal Locator Beacons: How to Choose | REI Co-op

 

[SpanishMossAntiques]

Personal Locator Beacons: How to Choose | REI Co-op

If you're heading out to sea you should have one and actually keep it on you.

 

[carbuff]

Personally I would take my phone anyway. In fact, we went hiking just yesterday and I discovered I had no pockets and didn't carry a pack...so I carried my phone. It was a short local state park and I only used it to take photos, which is one reason I always like to have the phone.

We still have no definite answer if she indeed had her phone with her, or it it was left behind, say, in her car. Is that right?

Yeah, I prefer to have mine, if only for the camera as you say, but I also tend to drop things, so on a fitness walk in a place I'm familiar with, I might not.

Also sometimes I just plain forget and get half a mile down the trail. Go to take a picture and dang, I left it in the car.

I don't think there's been anything definitive said about whether they have her phone, or just traced the pings. One of the early reports certainly implied it was in the car, but I distrust early media reports, which often display more enthusiasm than accuracy.

 

[K9Enzo]

MAR 11, 2021
South Central PA Search & Rescue | Facebook
NOTIFICATION... Public Notice... Springfield Twp.; Heritage Rail Trail County Park Search Update... Search Efforts and Law Enforcement Investigations are still active and continuing. The Search was never ended only scaled back so other resources could be called in to assist. Local Authorities have NOT given approval for the General Public to join the search efforts... there are many reasons that only trained and equipped search crews have been searching. We assure you that all of the agencies involved are doing their best to find this lost person.

PLEASE if you are out in this area do not approach the search teams as they are working. Do not approach or attempt to pet any of the search K9s or search Horses. Please keep your children and your own animals away from the SAR K9s as they are working and they need room to work. This is for everyones safety.

IF you see something out of the ordinary or you find someone who is lost or hurt please call 911. DO NOT photograph or take pictures just keep your distance and call 911. We assure you that every day there have been search teams and investigators out doing their best to locate Nicole.

Please if you want to help... check your property, wooded areas, sheds, out buildings, ect... check cctv cameras, trail cameras, security devices and if you see this woman or anything out if the ordinary please call 911 and report it! Thank you for your support and cooperation with this as we continue to try and find Nicole. SCPASAR SEARCH 93

Thank you for this update.

The bolded reads like the subject could be potentially despondent, then spooked if approached.

Do we know if LE or the family thinks she had a backpack with her? I'm curious what supplies, extra clothing, if any, she would have. The day/night temps are still cold and a huge concern. IMO

 

[PommyMommy]

Thank you for this update.

The bolded reads like the subject could be potentially despondent, then spooked if approached.

Do we know if LE or the family thinks she had a backpack with her? I'm curious what supplies, extra clothing, if any, she would have. The day/night temps are still cold and a huge concern. IMO

You're welcome.

We don't know. I don't see a pack in either photo. If the witness who saw her in the lot noticed any gear, that hasn't been reported. At least to my knowledge... MOO

MAR 8, 2021
Police on foot, horseback and by helicopter search for missing York County woman who vanished near trail - pennlive.com
Police have released a surveillance image that appears to be from a parking lot showing Ebaugh wearing dark pants with a white stripe and a black and white checkered jacket, which was the coat she was believed to be wearing when she went missing.

Another surveillance image released by police appears to come from a store, but police have not said when or where that photo was taken.

Photos:
MISSING YORK COUNTY WOMAN: Police searching near hiking trail (wgal.com)

 

[Baydreamer]

Missing York County woman’s body found near trail where she was last seen: state police

Sadly as expected.

 

[K9Enzo]

Missing York County woman’s body found near trail where she was last seen: state police

Sadly as expected.

Darn it. I'm sorry to read this.

The statement from SCPASAR yesterday on their current operation had me concerned about her state of mind with their careful wording. We of course don't know what happened. Very sad. IMO

 

[PommyMommy]

Missing York County woman’s body found near trail where she was last seen: state police

Sadly as expected.

29 years old. This is tragic. But, I agree - sadly, the signs were there.

My sincere condolences go out to Nicole's family and loved ones.

May she rest in peace.

 

[PommyMommy]

Missing York County woman’s body found near trail where she was last seen: state police

Sadly as expected.

Noting:

Nicole Elizabeth Ebaugh was discovered in the area of Heritage Rail Trail County Park at Glatfelters Station Road in Springfield Township, Trooper Kevin Kochka said.

Her cause and manner of death will be determined during an autopsy, he said. There is no threat to the community, Kochka said, but no additional information was immediately available.

 

[carbuff]

Missing York County woman’s body found near trail where she was last seen: state police

Sadly as expected.