This browser does not support the Video element.
Jamie Vlamos-Jones: Missing woman's body found in NW Indiana field, cause of death revealed
The cause of death for a Porter County woman found dead in a wooded area near the Little Calumet River has been revealed.
LAKE STATION, Ind. - The cause of death for a Porter County woman found dead in a wooded area near the Little Calumet River has been revealed.
An independent search team discovered 45-year-old Jamie Vlamos-Jones of Valparaiso around 10:30 a.m. Thursday near the 2100 block of Clay Street in Lake Station.
A spokesperson for Case Files Chicago said Vlamos-Jones had been missing since Wednesday, Dec. 18, and was last seen at 2375 Cass Street in Lake Station.
An autopsy conducted Friday by the Lake County Coroner's Office determined the cause of death was hypothermia. Preliminary results showed no signs of trauma or foul play.
The discovery marks a tragic end to her case, just one day after Christmas.
"You know, when somebody goes missing, you want that news that they’ve been found, but not like this," said Lisette Guillen, Case Files Chicago.
Team NWI – Independent Search & Rescue shares that as a volunteer stumbled upon Jamie’s body, their K9 wasn't far behind.
"One of our dog’s, Nova, picked up on the scent and flew her handler all the way there," said Lorenzo Longoria with Team NWI – Independent Search & Rescue.
The family of Vlamos-Jones tells FOX 32 Chicago that their attempts to file a missing person’s report last week with the Porter County Sheriff's Office were unsuccessful. They said they tried to file a report on Dec. 19 and 20.
FOX 32 reached out to the Porter County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday to inquire about the missing person’s report but has not yet heard back.
Vlamos Jones’ family says it’s what led them to contact the nonprofit search group.
"The search team was out here very early, in fact, a couple days after she went missing, they immediately hit the ground running searching for her," said Guillen.
This browser does not support the Video element.
What we know after missing Indiana woman found dead
The body of an Indiana woman who went missing last week has been found in a field near the Calumet River.
"Her discovery was probably just 200 yards away from where she had parked her vehicle," Longoria said.
FOX 32 Chicago has learned that on Dec. 18, Vlamos-Jones had entered a paving company’s back parking lot, located off Clay Street, but left the area on foot when she was told it was private property. Her car and purse, however, were left behind. The vehicle was later towed by a local police department, according to family members.
Vlamos-Jones’ family shares that she was struggling with mental health issues and that she lost her son unexpectedly last year. Still, they say leaving home and not returning was out of character.
"Jamie was in an open field, surrounding her was tall trees, debris, tall weeds," said Longoria.
The Lake Station Police Department confirms its officers were dispatched to the scene following the search party’s discovery. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigations Unit and the Lake County Coroner's Office also responded to assist in the death investigation.
"This remains an active investigation, and due to the nature of the case the Lake Station Police Department is asking for the public's patience while the necessary notifications take place as the investigation continues," said a spokesperson for the Lake Station Police Department in a statement.
"It’s definitely heartbreaking," said Guillen. "Lake Station is a very small, tight-knit community and we feel someone must have seen her in the days she went missing."
The Lake Station Police Department is asking for tips from the public in this case. If you have any information, you’re encouraged to report it and can do so online by clicking HERE.
No additional information has been released from police.