CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – A Charlottesville woman reported missing by her family Wednesday has been found safe, according to the woman’s sister.
Charlotte Bowen told Cville Right Now that police had informed her mother that they located the woman, Catherine Bowen, Thursday and that she was safe. No other details were available.
Wednesday, Charlotte Bowen posted on social media asking for help locating her sister, who had not been seen since leaving the Valley of the Seven Stars Cosmic Campout music festival on Oct. 13 in Arrington.
Catherine Bowen, 37, was working parking at the music festival in Nelson County Oct. 10-12 and organizers told the family she was seen leaving the area around 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 13.
The family’s concern heightened when Bowen did not arrive home or reach out to the family on Wednesday, her father’s birthday, the post said.
The family filed a police report in Nelson County. The sheriff’s office put out a statement on social media Thursday at 11:15 a.m.
“Our Office has spoken with multiple friends and acquaintances of Ms. Bowen, who report that she is ‘OK’ and not in any danger,” the release said. “However, the Nelson County Sheriff’s Office has not yet confirmed this from Ms. Bowen herself.”
Until the sheriff can confirm Bowen’s safety, she is considered missing or endangered.
Charlotte Bowen told Cville Right Now her father received a text message from Catherine’s phone at 9:43 a.m. Thursday.
“My dad got a text message from her phone number wishing him a happy belated birthday,” Charlotte Bowen said. “We are still waiting for some confirmation that she is the person who sent the text, but I am hopeful. Still not located but this is good news.”
People in Nelson County, Charlottesville and the surrounding areas are encouraged to be on the lookout and contact 804-396-3686 or local law enforcement with any possible sightings.
Charlottesville Police said they had not received a request for assistance from Nelson County or information indicating that Bowen could be in the Charlottesville area, according to spokesperson Kyle Ervin.