Authorities Issue Chilling Update in Case of Swimmer Missing for 19 Years in Colorado
Authorities have provided a chilling update in the case of a swimmer who went missing 19 years ago in Colorado. Michelle Vanek, 35, was last seen on the morning of September 24, 2005, after setting off for a swim at a lake near the Half Moon Campground in Minturn, CO, according to the case file. She was accompanied by a male swimmer, who informed authorities that Vanek became fatigued while swimming across the lake. He reportedly told Vanek, “if she wanted to head back to shore, she should swim along the shoreline, and he would catch up with her.” But when he returned to camp, his companion was nowhere to be found.
Vanek’s companion further reported that, while she was an experienced triathlete, she had limited experience with open-water swimming at high altitudes and had run out of energy earlier in the swim. Authorities conducted an extensive search of the area for eight days but found no trace of Vanek. The case remained cold until September 14, when the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office posted an update on social media offering a “glimmer of closure” in the long-missing swimmer’s case.
An all-female search team, which had been looking for Vanek’s remains, came across several personal items, including articles of clothing, a small waterproof bag, and swim goggles—”all of which are believed to have been with Michelle the day she disappeared,” the sheriff’s office reported. “Each item serves as a reminder of the strength of the human spirit, the unwavering dedication of these volunteers, and the enduring hope of a family waiting for answers,” the statement continued.
Forensic experts are currently analyzing the recovered items to confirm whether they belonged to Vanek. “These personal items are tangible connections to a life that touched so many. This discovery offers a moment of hope for Michelle’s family, friends, and the volunteers who have worked tirelessly, even as they await further confirmation,” the sheriff’s office added.
“Throughout these 19 years, we’ve never stopped searching for Michelle. Her memory has been a beacon of hope and determination, inspiring every person involved in the effort to bring her home,” the statement concluded, while noting that the area where the items were found will “remain protected, out of respect for future search efforts and Michelle’s memory.”
