Hiker Stephanie Womacks vanished while visiting Table Rock, what's status of her case
Authorities have utilized drones and K-9 units to cover the vast area in their intensive search efforts to find the 52-year-old woman, according to a press release from the Pickens County Sheriff's Office.
Multiple agencies, including the Anderson County Sheriff's Office, Anderson County Emergency Management, the Greenville County Sheriff's Office, the Greenville County Emergency Response Team, the Oconee County Sheriff's Office, and the Oconee County Emergency Services, have also assisted in the search for missing hiker Womacks at Table Rock State Park.
The search effort was supported by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, South Carolina State Park Service, South Carolina Task Force 1 and 6, Foothills Search and Rescue, and Carolina Search and Rescue.
"Despite our efforts, we have pursued every available lead and utilized every resource at our disposal," Pickens County Sheriff Tommy Blankenship said. "However, we are unable to locate Womacks.
"Her disappearance is not suspected to be the result of foul play," he said.
The search for missing Stephanie Womacks was called off after the Table Rock wildfire ignited on Friday, March 21, according to a press release from the Pickens County Sheriff's Office.
Deputies initially discovered the blaze while searching for Womacks.
The fire's rapid spread has made it unsafe for search teams to continue their efforts in the area.
The Table Rock Fire is now estimated to be 8,679 acres, growing almost exclusively on the northern and western sides of the fire, according to infrared data obtained from a surveillance flight at 4:30 p.m. Thursday. The fire burned up the North Carolina state line in several places.
"The Womacks family has been completely cooperative and unwavering in their support of our search efforts," Blankenship said. "They remain hopeful. While our large group's official efforts have concluded, the Pickens County Sheriff's Office remains committed to assisting in any way possible."
Womack's missing person case is an ongoing investigation, according to the Pickens County Sheriff's Office.
The Sheriff's Office confirmed that all current updates regarding the search and rescue operation for Stephanie Womacks have been released.
Any new information will be provided as soon as it becomes available, according to officials.
In the meantime, authorities continue focusing on the search for Womacks and the containment of the wildfire.
Missing hiker Stephanie Womacks was last seen wearing a brown hoodie, jeans, and black tennis shoes.
She is described as being five feet tall and weighing approximately 100 pounds.
Travis Rose covers Anderson County for the Independent Mail. Reach him via email at trose@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: What to know about search for hiker Stephanie Womacks at Table Rock
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