ST. GEORGE — The daughter of one of Utah’s Piano Guys was reported missing Wednesday in Oregon. Authorities are concerned the 21-year-old may have gotten lost or injured while hiking in the Columbia River Gorge near Portland.
The Portland Police Bureau’s Missing Persons Unit is asking for the public’s help in locating Anna “Annie” Schmidt, who was last seen by her roommate on Sunday. Schmidt was subsequently reported missing on Wednesday.
Schmidt’s vehicle was located Thursday in the Columbia River Gorge near Bonneville Dam, Portland Police officials said in a statement, adding that Schmidt is a hiker and recently purchased a new tent and backpack.
“There are no signs of foul play,” officials said. “Investigators are concerned that she may have gotten lost or injured hiking in the Gorge.”
Depending on information and conditions, the Police Bureau said the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue unit may begin searching the area Friday.
Schmidt is described as a white female, 5 feet 4 inches tall, weighing 125 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes.
Police are asking anyone who may have been hiking in the Columbia River Gorge over the past few days to look at Schmidt’s photo and report any sightings to the Bureau’s Missing Persons Unit.
The Schmidt family has requested anyone who saw Anna Schmidt’s last snapchat Sunday, if they recognized any landmarks in the photo, or if there is anyone Anna Schmidt may have told where she was planning to go.
The Piano Guys issued the following statement about her disappearance Friday:
Friends,
We need your help. Jon’s daughter, Annie, went missing this week. We are searching in the “tooth rock” area of Portland, Oregon. If anyone was hiking around there last Sunday and saw her — or if you know someone who might have seen her there please call the local Portland police. It will narrow our search. She would have been wearing a gray or green beanie. We need everyone’s prayers too. Thank you.
Anna Schmidt is the daughter of Jon Schmidt – member of The Piano Guys musical group founded in a St. George piano shop. The now world-famous group is made up of four dads who became an Internet sensation by way of their immensely successful series of original self-made music videos. As of October 2016, The Piano Guys’ YouTube channel had more than a billion total video views and over five million subscribers.
Anyone with current information about Anna Schmidt’s whereabouts is asked to call 9-1-1, officials said. Anyone with nonemergency information is asked to contact Detective Heidi Helwig by email: [email protected] or call the Portland Police Bureau with information at 503-823-0000.
This report is based on preliminary information provided by law enforcement and may not contain the full scope of findings.
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