Theresa came to the ranch from Avon, Indiana with her husband for a vacation.
The ranch is located in the Pike National Forest. Theresa loved the outdoors and wanted to hike for a few hours before dinner. She set out for Cheesman Reservoir, just a few miles away. But she never returned and within hours a massive search was launched. It lasted nearly a week before being called off.
Bob and Karen Foster who own the ranch, said Teresa's disappearance hit them hard. The fire was disastrous, the floods were horrifying, but Teresa's disappearance was devastating said Karen Foster. Hiking out there in this beautiful wilderness area. No one's ever lost their life. Everyone has always been found.
The Fosters say the trail Teresa took suddenly narrows into treacherous terrain. The area is steep with large boulders and the soil is still soft and ashy from the Hayman wildfire that had already burned through the area before Teresa's visit. There is also a fast-moving river below.
Her disappearance has been agonizing to everyone and while there are many theories about what may have happened to her, no one knows for sure. Her husband believes she may have become disoriented, got lost and then hurt, or possibly even froze to death. But the owners of the ranch say she could have also fallen into a pit or been attacked by an animal.
I really think there is a good possibility a mountain lion could have gotten her, because there was no food, there was nothing left after the fire, not birds even said Karen Foster.
It again just reminds me that the west and the mountains and living out here in the middle of nowhere, there's wonderful things about it, but you never take it for granted, said her husband, Bob Foster.
Alpine Search and Rescue say she's the third person in 50 years who hasn't been found. Her disappearance remains an open, missing persons case in Jefferson County.
