WILDWOOD, MO (KMOX) - The search has been called off for today (Tuesday) according to St. Louis County Police. Police and volunteers have been searching for 72 year old Carol Schulte, who has been missing since Monday. Schulte's phone was pinged off Al Foster Trail around 6:30 Monday morning. However, that was the only notificiation and it's not known if the phone was turned off, or if the battery ran down.
Sgt. Tracy Panus says detectives will continue their investigation and that police will send out an alert if anything changes. There was no reason given for the search being called off.
Schulte's car was found on the parking lot Monday afternoon. St. Louis County Police Sergeant Tracy Panus says foul play is not suspected, "she's out here in the middle of nowhere and there are dangerous animals out here, whether it be a bear, mountain lion or dogs or anything, so we really don't know."
Metro West Fire Lieutenant Matt Coppin says resources include "ground search, people on foot, we're using drone technology, we've had our Metro Air Support helicopter in the air, as well as K-9 units." Coppin says there are over 150 first responders and volunteers. "I should mention, there's a large showing of volunteer resources, that's just kind of amassed at this location." There is a sufficient number of volunteers.
The Al Foster Trail runs along the Meramec River up to Castlewood State Park. Coppin says "this area is covered with paths, so it's a very common place for people to bike or run or hike and there's numerous paths throughout this area. Once you get off the path, it can be pretty rough terrain."
Coppin says once off that path, "there's bluffs that overlook the river there, there's cliff faces, deep woods, uh, so it's a treacherous area when you get off the path."
Carol Schulte is a frequent hiker to the area.