Rappahannock News eEdition

Body believed to be missing woman found in Shenandoah National Park

B R N

On Saturday, July 24, a Shenandoah National Park search-and-rescue team discovered a female body believed to be that of Julia Christine Devlin, a Virginia woman who had been missing for several days.

Devlin, 55, was last seen on Wednesday, July 14 in Charlottesville. Park o cials say security footage at the Rock sh Gap entrance station captured her vehicle, a white Lexus sedan, entering Shenandoah National Park late that same day. The vehicle was found crashed and abandoned on Skyline Drive in Augusta County days later on Saturday, July 17.

“The car was over a steep embankment and not readily visible. A visitor discovered it on Saturday,” said Claire Comer, an interpretive specialist at Shenandoah National Park. At the time of the interview, Comer was unable to provide details regarding the extent of the vehicle damage. Park o cials were “unable to determine when the wreck actually happened,” she added.

“Apparently a er the crash she exited the vehicle, crossed Skyline Drive and made her way up or around a cli face,” Comer said. “She was found on the other side of the cli face.”

The cli where the body was found around 10 a.m. on Monday, July 26 was within 600 meters of the abandoned vehicle. Comer added that park officials had reason to believe Devlin was alone in her vehicle. The Virginia Department of Emergency Management and the Albemarle County Sheriff's Office assisted Shenandoah National Park to conduct the search operation. Close to a dozen search-and-rescue teams, including canine teams, were also involved. The remains have been transported to a medical examiner who will determine identity and cause of death.

INTERNET

en-us

2021-07-29T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-07-29T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://rappahannocknews.pressreader.com/article/281565178796138

Rappahannock News