The Murder of Kristin Alice Schmidt

Source: Oregon State Police

During the early-morning hours of June 26th, 2003, a camper at Hilgard State Park in Oregon awoke to a strange noise at the campsite. The camper looked outside of her tent but did not see anything; likely because it was still dark outside. Her wristwatch stated it was only 3:15 AM. 

A few hours later, around 6:00 AM, the camper exited her tent. She was then able to see over a nearby 50-foot embankment off Interstate 84. At the bottom of that embankment, the camper spotted something unexpected: the body of an adult woman. Police were called, and first responders officially declared that the woman was deceased. 

It took a few days, but investigators eventually identified the deceased woman as Kristin Alice Schmidt - a 22-year-old from San Luis Obispo, California. Kristin had been a victim of both sexual assault and homicidal violence. An autopsy confirmed that her death was caused by strangulation. 

While investigating Kristin's murder, detectives learned that she left San Luis Obispo for Oregon via Amtrak on June 16th, 2003. A report from the early stages of the investigation states that it was "not known whether [Kristin] was traveling alone or if she had a destination in mind." What is known is that she seemingly spent the next several days, up until her death, in Oregon.

In fact, Kristin was reportedly seen hitchhiking at Troutdale on June 25th, 2003 - the evening before she was found deceased. It's believed that Kristin was assaulted and killed elsewhere before her body was dumped at the park. Troutdale is located over 230 miles away from Hilgard State Park - an approximate two and a half hour's drive. This has left investigators with a long trail to follow in order to retrace Kristin's final hours.  

Investigators believe that the strange sound that awoke the camper at Hilgard State Park at 3:15 AM was the sound of Kristin's body and her backpack being thrown over the embankment. However, they still do not know who did this to Kristin, or why. There has been speculation that Kristin fell victim to a serial killer, but an exact suspect or person of interest has never been publicly identified.

Kristin's murder remains unsolved today. Although the case is considered cold, it is still open and being investigated by the Oregon State Police. If you have any information that could help solve the murder of Kristin Schmidt, please contact authorities at OSP.CCU@osp.oregon.gov. 

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Sources:
East Oregonian 
LaGrande Observer, (2)
Oregon State Police