The person at the center of this case
Teresa Schmidt
Missing Person · Open
23 years waiting · since 2002
Missing Person: Teresa Schmidt
Justice for Teresa Schmidt — the trail went cold in 2002, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
🔍
evidence
Lead #1Why were Teresa's footprints found on both sides of the ridge at Cheesman Overlook, and what do they indicate about her movements?
📍
location
Lead #2How did the forest fire's alteration of the terrain affect navigation, and could she have become disoriented despite her hiking experience?
⏰
timeline
Lead #3Why was there a 7-hour delay between her disappearance at 3 p.m. and the report at 7 p.m., and could earlier search efforts have changed the outcome?
Teresa Schmidt, a 53-year-old experienced hiker, disappeared on September 6, 2002, while hiking alone near Lost Valley Guest Ranch in Golden, Colorado. She left around 3 p.m. on a trail to a rocky overlook but never returned; a massive search involving 70 volunteers, dogs, and helicopters found only her footprints near Cheesman Overlook. Nearly 24 years later, the circumstances of her disappearance remain unknown, and continued vigilance in the area could yield new clues.
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More leads to consider
Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
💡
clue
Lead #4What happened after the footprints were found—did the search extend beyond Cheesman Overlook to adjacent areas?
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Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
Source Narrative
NamUs case MP25973. Missing person: Teresa Schmidt.
Last known contact: 2002-09-06 in Golden, Jefferson, CO. Circumstances: Teresa Schmidt decided to go hiking on September 6, 2002.
She is an experienced hiker and had visited the area before, but its physical features had been greatly changed by a forest fire and she may not have known her way around. She left Lost Valley Guest Ranch alone, carrying a backpack which contained a jacket and two bottles of water.
Teresa Schmidt was last seen at about 300 p.m. on a trail leading to a rocky overlook east of the ranch.
She was reported missing by her husband at 700 p.m. when she failed to return to the ranch, but search efforts did not begin until 200 a.m.
the next day. Nearly seventy volunteer searchers, tracker dogs, and helicopters scoured the area for Schmidt for six days after she disappeared.
Her husband spent several days searching by motorcycle. Search efforts were hampered by inclement weather and the only thing anyone located was two sets of Schmidt's footprints near Cheesman Overlook, one set on each side of the ridge.
Demographics: 53 years, Female, White / Caucasian. Physical description: 5 ft 5 in, 125 lbs, hair: Blond/Strawberry, eyes: Brown.
Clothing and accessories: Accessories: Black fannypack; Clothing: Stonewash jeans, light colored shirt, turquoise windbreaker. Investigating agency: Jefferson County Sheriff's Office | 02-22973.
Timeline of Events
👁️
2002-09-06
15:00Last Sighting
Teresa Schmidt seen at approximately 3 p.m. on a trail leading to a rocky overlook east of Lost Valley Guest Ranch
👤
2002-09-06
19:00Reported Missing
Husband reported Teresa missing at 7 p.m. when she failed to return to the ranch
🕵️
2002-09-07
02:00Search Begins
Large-scale search efforts commenced with nearly 70 volunteer searchers, tracker dogs, and helicopters
📋
2002-09-07
Footprints Discovered
Two sets of Teresa's footprints located near Cheesman Overlook, one on each side of the ridge
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:September 6, 2002 at 3:00 PM
Last Updated:July 25, 2026
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Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 3032715195
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Case Information
Incident:September 6, 2002 at 3:00 PM
Last Updated:July 25, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 3032715195
You can remain anonymous