Found Deceased MO - Carol Schulte, 72, experienced hiker, van in pkg lot, near Al Foster Trailhead, Wildwood, St. Louis, 23 May 2022

[sarajordan2993]

Articles have mentioned both locations. I wonder if she was first spotted near Cecos Lane as that's further north, but by the time they reached her body, it had traveled further south to the boat ramp location.

Well a boater did spot her body and contact authorities, so closer to the boat ramp would make more sense..

 

[FrogChair]

A very nice obituary has been posted for Carol. It sounds like she was a wonderful person.

Schulte, Carol J - Kutis Funeral Home

On Monday, May 30, 2022, Carol J Schulte passed away at the age of 72. She leaves behind her husband of 40 years, Leonard F Schulte Jr.; four children, Lisa, Adam, Tim, and Greg; 8 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren; brother Doug, sister Nancy; as well as many other family and friends. Carol...

www.kutisfuneralhomes.com

 

[JerseyWasHome2]

Has there been any closure on her case for family and locals who hike those trails? Autopsy results, any press conference assuring everyone that a murderer is still not on the loose, anything?

 

[WingsOverTX]

Has there been any closure on her case for family and locals who hike those trails? Autopsy results, any press conference assuring everyone that a murderer is still not on the loose, anything?

Today is her visitation & funeral tomorrow.

Here is one tribute left under her obituary:

Alan Johnson on June 8, 2022 at 8:34 pm
When I heard of this event, my heart sunk. I will always miss her bright face, Her go for life attitude, And the extreme caring she had for her family. I will always miss sharing recipes and food with her and Len living next door to them. My heart goes out to the family, especially Len during this hard time. Al

Perhaps the coroner will release a cause of death soon. I did a media search today & no news stories since 5/31/22, unfortunately.

Her obit says, "In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Forever Forward Campaign at The River Church, Love on a Leash Inc. or Missouri Botanical Gardens." She's still giving back, even now.

RIP lovely lady.

 

[5W's]

Catastrophic medical event (massive stroke, lethal arrhythmia) would be my guess

I'm sure the ME would be able to tell if that's what happened before falling.

 

[airportwoman]

They probably need to get all the information (toxicology, etc.) before they say any more.

 

[5W's]

From what I've read about Carol she wouldn't be taking risks such as walking in the closed off area. Her van being parked where it was found could just mean that she knew the area well and thus could have detoured and hiked another area that wasn't closed off. So IMO whatever happened to Carol happened while she was out hiking. I could be wrong and we are all wrong on the timeline of her activity that morning.

 

[BeckyF]

I'm sure the ME would be able to tell if that's what happened before falling.

There have been no statements from her family or LE stating that she fell. As of now, no one knows how she ended up in the river. But yes, the ME would be able to tell if such an event occurred.

 

[5W's]

There have been no statements from her family or LE stating that she fell. As of now, no one knows how she ended up in the river.

You're right. I just thought that that's what some posters were alluding to when they said that Carol was found in the water. I'm of the thought that anything could have happened. But I'm basing my assumptions on what has been reported on her nature so to me its strange of how some aspects of this case have come about.

 

[carbuff]

If she fell in, it could have happened very rapidly. There was a river accident near us during the week where the family was fishing and picnicking beside the water when the son fell in. He was washed downstream by the strong current before the mother, who was standing beside him, could even grab him. She drowned trying to get to him.

Merrimack River search resumes Saturday for missing 6-year-old

State police will resume the search on Saturday after the Coast Guard suspended their search late Friday for the missing 6-year-old boy who disappeared in the river on Thursday night.

www.wcvb.com

 

[5W's]

I found this article its another case but its something to ponder when in desolate areas men included to ponder because safety and well being is important to everyone regardless of gender. The reason I bring this up here in Carole's thread is just to raise awareness of "what could be out there" and to be prepared for anything. I know it may seem tedious but its worth it to be aware. In case this article is behind a paywall for some keywords are Kayaker sexually assaulted by three men https://www.newsobserver.com/news/nation-world/national/article261823755.html

 

[FrogChair]

Today is her visitation & funeral tomorrow.

Here is one tribute left under her obituary:

Alan Johnson on June 8, 2022 at 8:34 pm
When I heard of this event, my heart sunk. I will always miss her bright face, Her go for life attitude, And the extreme caring she had for her family. I will always miss sharing recipes and food with her and Len living next door to them. My heart goes out to the family, especially Len during this hard time. Al

Perhaps the coroner will release a cause of death soon. I did a media search today & no news stories since 5/31/22, unfortunately.

Her obit says, "In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Forever Forward Campaign at The River Church, Love on a Leash Inc. or Missouri Botanical Gardens." She's still giving back, even now.

RIP lovely lady.

I’m not sure how this works. Is the ME required to make the cause of death public?

 

[WingsOverTX]

I’m not sure how this works. Is the ME required to make the cause of death public?

The autopsy report can usually be requested 6 to 8 weeks after the death (ME reports are open records in Missouri).

MEO Request for Records Form

Jackson County Missouri Medical Examiner's Office Records Request Form (for non-Sunshine Law requests only).

us.openforms.com

 

[JerseyWasHome2]

I’m not sure how this works. Is the ME required to make the cause of death public?

I would hope that they would, given that it occurred in a public location, that the public was informed and helped search, and as far as I know, it was never stated that they ruled out foul play, so the public should be entitled to some sort of closure to rule out the idea that someone is lurking in that area looking for another victim.

 

[FrogChair]

Article says foul play was not suspected, but this woman’s death in Illinois has the spooked local hiking community on edge again. Missing 60-year-old woman’s body found near Mascoutah

 

[FrogChair]

The autopsy report can usually be requested 6 to 8 weeks after the death (ME reports are open records in Missouri).

MEO Request for Records Form

Jackson County Missouri Medical Examiner's Office Records Request Form (for non-Sunshine Law requests only).

us.openforms.com

Thank you. Many women in the hiking community are still feeling nervous and wanting to know what happened.

 

[scriabina]

Article says foul play was not suspected, but this woman’s death in Illinois has the spooked local hiking community on edge again. Missing 60-year-old woman’s body found near Mascoutah

It's been horribly hot in the area, 90-100 degrees. I'm guessing heat stroke will be cause of death.

 

[WingsOverTX]

It's been horribly hot in the area, 90-100 degrees. I'm guessing heat stroke will be cause of death.

The temperature on Monday, May 23, 2022, was not in a heat danger zone per historical lookup here:

Weather History for Wildwood, MO

See past weather reports with the Almanac's weather history tool. Find historical weather data by zip code and access weather archives from more than 1,300 stations across the United States and Canada, dating back to 1960. What was the weather like on your birthday or another date in history...

www.almanac.com

Hypothermia once she entered the water might have been a factor (assuming she was alive when she entered the water).

 

[pizzaman12]

Any updates on the autopsy?

 

[griss]

Any updates on the autopsy?

Not a peep out of the local MSM.