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Hildegard Hendrickson Missing Person Case

Last seen in Leavenworth, Washington on Jun 8, 2013

Victim Details

Jan 7, 2014

May 26, 2023

Hildegard

Hendrickson

92

79

64 inches

180 lbs

White / Caucasian

Female

Jun 8, 2013

Leavenworth

Washington

Chelan County

No

22940

Chelan County Sheriff's Office

Wenatchee

Washington

Chelan County

98801

Kevin Files

Detective

401 Washington Street, Washington

5096676851

County

Law Enforcement

https://www.co.chelan.wa.us/sheriff

13C05416

Jun 11, 2013

Chelan County Sheriff's Office

Gray or Partially Gray

Gray

Gray

Oct 6, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

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Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP23131) and 5 other sources
On a day meant for enjoying her passion, 79-year-old Hildegard Hendrickson vanished while on a mushroom picking expedition in the Wenatchee National Forest near Leavenworth, Washington. The last confirmed sighting of the experienced mushroom hunter was on June 8, 2013, near the Minnow Creek trailhead. Friends and family described her as a careful and knowledgeable forager, who had been practicing this hobby for nearly four decades. A retired Seattle University professor, where she had taught for almost 30 years, Hildegard was a respected figure in her community and an expert associated with the Puget Sound Mycological Society. Her vehicle was later discovered at the trailhead, unlocked, which raised immediate concerns for her well-being.

The days following her disappearance saw an extensive search and rescue operation launched by the Chelan County Sheriff's Office. Dozens of ground searchers, along with multiple K9 units, scoured the rugged terrain surrounding the Minnow Creek Trail and Basalt Peak area. Despite the massive effort, which involved over 5,200 man-hours, no trace of Hildegard was found. The active search was eventually suspended after more than a week of fruitless searching. The terrain was known to be challenging, and friends mentioned that due to a knee issue, she would likely not have ventured far from the trail.

The mystery of what happened to Hildegard Hendrickson remains unsolved. While it is possible she succumbed to the elements or had a medical emergency in the vast wilderness, investigators have not ruled out the possibility of foul play. A suspicious individual was reportedly seen in the area around the time of her disappearance, though it is unknown if this person had any connection to the case. In 2015, with no new leads or evidence, Hildegard Hendrickson was legally declared dead. Her case is a somber reminder of the unforgiving nature of the wilderness and the enduring pain of not knowing the fate of a loved one. The overview of the case is one of a beloved and experienced individual who went to enjoy a day in nature and inexplicably vanished, leaving behind a community to grapple with her absence and the unanswered questions surrounding her disappearance.
Last Seen: Jun 8, 2013

Links to Additional Sources (5)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Missing Person / NamUs #MP23131
  • Six years later, the mystery of Hildegard Hendrickson remains
  • UNSOLVED DISAPPEARANCE: DR HILDEGARD HENDRICKSON
  • r/bigfoot - Hildegard Hendrickson Yannick Chauncey Periou - Reddit
  • The Unsolved Vanishing Of Mushroom Hunter Hildegard Hendrickson

    • Possible Unidentified Matches (1)

    Unidentified remains cases whose details are consistent with this person, ranked by how closely they compare. Fields that are unknown in either case are left out of the score.

    77%Possible
    Jane Doe — Seattle, Washington - unidentified case UP14084
    Jane Doe — Seattle, Washington
    UP14084 • Found May 29, 2015
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 85%Est. 60–80 vs 79 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 81%78 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 24 months after last seen
    Height 84%5'6" vs 5'4"
    Weight 72%137 lb vs 180 lb
    Hair 100%Gray vs Gray
    Eyes 70%Blue vs Gray

    These comparisons are generated automatically from public NamUs case data and are not confirmed identifications. Only DNA, dental or fingerprint comparison by investigators can confirm an identity. If you believe two cases are connected, contact the agency handling the unidentified case.

    Unidentified photos are blurred because many are post-mortem. Tap a photo to reveal it.

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    Forum Posts (3)

    I've been following Hildegard Hendrickson’s case, and something that strikes me is her deep... ...Read More
    08/01/2024
    Has anyone else been following the Hildegard Hendrickson case? I’ve been digging into the details... ...Read More
    08/23/2023
    Has anyone considered the possibility that Hildegard might have stumbled upon something illicit in... ...Read More
    01/05/2023

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