Chief says ‘this is our 911 call to the public’ over missing Virginia firefighter
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The family and friends of a missing Fairfax County firefighter held an emotional press conference Tuesday, asking the public for help bringing Nicole Mittendorff home.
Mittendorff, 31, was reported missing to police Friday. A U.S. Park ranger found her 2009 Mini Cooper shortly before 8 p.m. Saturday in a parking lot in Shenandoah National Park. State police said Mittendorff was last in touch with her family Wednesday, April 13.
“As you can imagine, the pain of not knowing where a loved one is can be unbearable,” Mittendorff’s husband, Steve Mittendorff, said through tears.
LIVE on #Periscope: @ffxfirerescue Press Conference on Missing Firefighter https://t.co/Yzeq7cvtPC
— Fairfax County (@fairfaxcounty) April 19, 2016
Federal, state and volunteer search teams have spent days searching Shenandoah National Park for any signs of Mittendorff.
“I’m not sure where you are, but know that we are all looking for you,” Steve Mittendorff said.
The search has focused on the area around the White Oak Canyon trail in Madison County. But, so far, nothing has been found.
Fire officials urged the public to call Virginia State Police if they have any information on Mittendorff’s whereabouts.
“This is our 911 call to the public,” Fairfax County Fire Chief Richard Bowers Jr. said. “You never know. The smallest thing can help bring Nicole home.”
Mittendorff is a career firefighter and paramedic for the Fairfax County Fire Department. Her husband is a Virginia State Police employee, police said.
There is currently no evidence to suggest anything suspicious about Mittendorff’s disappearance, state police said.
Her family created a Facebook page and a website to help find her. A prayer vigil will be held Wednesday night at Fairview Station 32, Mittendorff’s station.
She is described as a white woman with blonde hair and green eyes. She is 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighs about 125 pounds.
Anyone with information that can help police is asked to call Virginia State Police at 703-803-0026.
