The body of an Atlanta woman who disappeared while hiking on Washington's Mount Rainier in January may have been found, authorities say.
On Friday, park rangers recovered what they presume to be the bodies of the second and third of four hikers who disappeared. Atlanta resident Michelle Trojanowski, 30, of Atlanta, was among them.
For eight months, Trojanowski's friends and family have had few clues as to what happened to their daughter and friend.
Trojanowski and three other hikers virtually disappeared on Washington's Mount Rainier in mid-January. In August, park rangers recovered the body of Trojanowski's friend and climbing partner, 37-year-old Mark Vucich. Then on Friday, the bodies of two more climbers - a man and a woman - were discovered.
Trojanowski's friends and family are sharing developments on a Facebook page set up in her name and are waiting anxiously for the remains to be identified.
Her best friend, Meg Rumpell, told Channel 2's Ashley Swann that Trojanowski's father, in particular, has struggled not knowing what happened to his little girl.
"I think any dad losing their little girl wants a reason and wants a closure to it," said Rumpell.
Well known through her volunteer work with her church and for the homeless in Atlanta, Rumpell said Trojanowski's giving spirit and love of life were contagious.
"She was an inspiring, inspiring person. The story of her life is one that inspires people to get up and do something for someone other (than) themselves, and I know personally I am one of those people that's been touched and inspired to do that."
A medical examiner is working to identify the remains of the two bodies recovered. Park rangers in Washington are also continuing to search this weekend for the fourth missing hiker.
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