After two weeks and no new clues, Virgin Islands National Park will downscale the search effort for Lucy Schuhmann who was first reported missing on September 19, NPS said Wednesday evening.
During a staff briefing earlier today, the NPS Incident Commander, Scott Guenther, expressed his gratitude to all team members who participated in the effort. He also stated that the search should henceforth continue at the park but on a more limited basis.
According to NPS, across fourteen days, local and mainland NPS personnel were assisted by Virgin Islands Police Department, St. John Rescue, US Geological Survey, US Coast Guard and dedicated volunteers who searched extensively and found little evidence of Ms. Schuhmann. In addition to the search effort, the NPS and VIPD launched investigations which are expected to continue through the coming days, NPS said.
The search for Ms. Schuhmann was supported by a technical climbing team, unmanned aerial devices (drones), snorkel and SCUBA divers and search dogs. Marine deployment to rugged, remote shorelines for both ground and snorkel searches occurred over several days. The US Coast Guard conducted an aerial helicopter search early in the investigation. Ground teams searched several miles of park trails, shorelines and roadways, as well as densely forested areas.
Ms. Schuhmann was reported missing by the proprietor of the vacation rental where she was staying in Coral Bay on St. John. Each day of the search park staff were in close contact with the family of Ms. Schuhmann. A close family member of Ms. Shuhmann’s arrived on St. John during the incident and met with park staff and volunteers.
A handwritten note from that family member to the local volunteers states, “We are grateful for your dedication and generosity of spirit in the search for Lucy. Your selflessness and kindness will always be remembered.”
The Salt Pond – Ram Head area have been extensively searched and visitors may now use these areas of the park.
The NPS Investigative Services Branch are encouraging any individuals with information they believe to be relevant to this case to call 888-653-0009.
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