CHILLICOTHE - Victoria Schafer made an impact on the Chillicothe community not just through her skills as a photographer but as a generous soul.

Schafer, 44, the owner of Victoria Schafer Photography, was killed at Old Man's Cave in Hocking Hills on Monday by a falling tree branch, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources says the branch that hit and killed Schafer was dislodged and they are looking for people who may have been on top of the cave, according to WBNS 10TV.

There is evidence that individuals were on the top section above where the incident occurred, Investigator Schaad Johnson told 10TV. The department is investigating whether the branch was dislodged on purpose, 10TV reported. Those who were at Old Man’s Cave around the time of the incident who may have seen anything are asked to call ODNR at 614-799-9538.

While Schafer could be found behind the lens photographing local events, she was also known for participating in many of them as well.

"We always met up because we were doing sports things or business things or school things, and we always said, we need to go get drinks and spend time getting to know each other," said Mary Putnam, Athletics Director and cross country coach at Bishop Flaget Middle School. "We never got to do that, we never made the time and I really regret that we didn't do that."

Putnam remembers Schafer as someone who was extremely dedicated to her craft.

"Victoria was one of the hardest workers I have ever met," said Putnam. "She was completely focused on her business and her art. She took something that was an interest and when given the opportunity turned it into a thriving business, she was very talented."

Dave Huggins, Race director of The Buck Fifty, a yearly 150-mile fundraiser race through Ross County, remembers Schafer as being above all a giving, caring person.

"When I look back and think of her today, it's a lot about giving and helping other people," said Huggins. "She always seemed to be doing that, she was always participating and helping, for example, the humane society, she was always engaged in what we were doing with the race or the kids, just giving freely of her time, she had a talent and a gift and shared it with a lot of people."

Huggins ran on a relay race team with Schafer in 2012, which was where the Buck Fifty journey began, said Huggins.

Schafer captured many moments in the Buck Fifty story through the lens of her camera, according to a Facebook post from the organization, "from our first M.A.D.E. rally in 2016 to the 2019 Buck Fifty Race."

Schafer is remembered well by those who work with her.

“I have fond memories of my personal friendship and professional relationships with Victoria. Our professional relationship really helped me regain my love of photography and I will always be thankful for that," said Gary Best, who worked for Schafer at Victoria Schafer Photography for two years. "I will miss her.”

Bishop Flaget principal Laura Corcoran remembered her as a loving wife and mother to her family, and a gifted photographer.

“Victoria was a special person, Said Corcoran. "She was a very strong personality with a huge heart. She loved her family, and she was working hard to be the best wife and mother that she could. Like all of us, she had her insecurities, but I think she was most confident when she was behind the camera. She had a gift for seeing beauty in the mundane, serenity in the chaos, and the secret behind the eyes. She strived to know her clients and bring them to life through their photos. Her best work was out in the open and raw. She could get 'the photo.' She was generous and kind, and the Bishop Flaget community will miss her very much. We pray for her family in this difficult time as we also grapple with losing someone too soon.”

Schafer's is the third death in that region this summer. The body of a 55-year-old woman was recovered in June at the Conkles Hollow State Nature Preserve, and a 22-year-old hiker died when he fell about 75 feet off a cliff near Old Man's Cave last month.