Southern Ohio Crime Stoppers is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the death of a Chillicothe woman struck by a tree branch in Hocking Hills State Park earlier this month.

Victoria Schafer, 44, died on Sept. 2 near Old Man's Cave. Authorities initially thought the tree branch had fallen onto her on its own, but the Ohio Department of Natural Resources announced the next day that evidence showed that wasn't true.

ODNR is now investigating the death as a suspected homicide.

At a news conference held by Southern Ohio Crime Stoppers on Monday, Chillicothe’s business community, members of Schafer’s family and friends called on community members to help provide answers.

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"As time has elapsed, more questions have been raised from the initial questions, and we need help from all to find the answers," said Mike Throne, president and CEO of the Chillicothe-Ross Chamber of Commerce.

Southern Ohio Crime Stoppers President Ernie Large said that anyone who was at or around Old Man's Cave on Sept. 2 who might have information or photos from around the time of Schafer's death should contact local law enforcement.

"There is no insignificant item," Throne said. "There is no invaluable clue."

Until new information surfaces, Schafer's sister, Cathy Muth, said their family will remember a loving wife, a mother of four teenage children and a passionate entrepreneur. Schafer ran her own photography business and worked at a local Petland store.

"Our family and the community of Chillicothe deserve answers," Muth said.

Muth created a Facebook page, Friends of Victoria Schafer, to keep people updated on the investigation and potential leads.

Those with information about Schafer's death can contact Southern Ohio Crime Stoppers at 740-773-8477 or ODNR at 614-799-9538.

shendrix@dispatch.com

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