WA GIOVANNA "GIA" FUDA: Missing from Maple Valley, WA - 24 July 2020 - Age 18 Found Alive

SheWhoMustNotBeNamed · Jul 29, 2020

Detectives have determined that Gia stopped at a coffee shop east of Index on US Hwy 2 Friday morning before running out of gas. However, they don’t have any video of her after she left the coffee stand. The red sweatshirt she was wearing was located in the car, so it is believed she was wearing the grey t-shirt when she disappeared.

“It’s so rural that there’s not a lot of businesses that have surveillance video in the middle of nowhere so that’s why we’re hoping somebody has those dash cam videos," said Sgt. Abbott.

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GrandmaBear · Jul 30, 2020

SheWhoMustNotBeNamed said:
Detectives have determined that Gia stopped at a coffee shop east of Index on US Hwy 2 Friday morning before running out of gas. However, they don’t have any video of her after she left the coffee stand. The red sweatshirt she was wearing was located in the car, so it is believed she was wearing the grey t-shirt when she disappeared.

“It’s so rural that there’s not a lot of businesses that have surveillance video in the middle of nowhere so that’s why we’re hoping somebody has those dash cam videos," said Sgt. Abbott.

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Is the second photo of the coffee shop lot or somewhere else do you know? She is standing quite near another person's vehicle... Not that that always means anything but it seems a bit odd, maybe waiting for someone? Is she on the phone or just standing, I cant quite tell?

I am almost guessing it is somewhere else as the sweatshirt is now off and she has no coffee in hand?

Guess Who · Jul 30, 2020

GrandmaBear said:
Is the second photo of the coffee shop lot or somewhere else do you know? She is standing quite near another person's vehicle... Not that that always means anything but it seems a bit odd, maybe waiting for someone? Is she on the phone or just standing, I cant quite tell?

I am almost guessing it is somewhere else as the sweatshirt is now off and she has no coffee in hand?

and her hair is pulled back in the last one

GrandmaBear · Jul 30, 2020

Guess Who said:
and her hair is pulled back in the last one

You are right, missed that or wasn't looking for it lol. Warmer in the day it would be appear so later on... Hair up, sweatshirt off...

GrandmaBear · Jul 30, 2020

You know, it might be nitpicky but here again, this shows some preparation. She has a face mask, it even matches her sweat shirt. She has a sweatshirt, a hair tie, prepared for cooler, then warmer weather, just meaning she has what she needs and appears to have planned. She stops for coffee, apparently a thing she enjoys doing it is said, apparently she has money for coffee, she looks calm in the photos... Maybe even been there before...? Yet she runs out of gas...

I mean NOTHING by this and more than anything I pray she is okay, and her parents find her soon, they must be out of their mind with worry--but just pointing it out in trying to put it all together, and speculating. I have three that believe me at younger times in their lives ran out of gas, as did I in my youth... However, the rest of what we see seems so planned for her day, weekend or outing, even with bags to stay somewhere...

The two things that do not fit is running out of gas and her cell phone being off now. That is the worrisome part that lends more towards an opportunistic unplanned abduction. It could not be a planned one as a perp could not know she would run out of gas. If she had a flat tire or something, I would look at that possibly differently...

And all of her things are apparently also in the car which is worrisome. Except her phone. I hope her parents actually pay her phone bill under their plan as they may have some options there and quickly then instead of having to wait on a warrant or some such because she is 18...

Kimster · Jul 30, 2020

I've said this a million times, I can't stand these cases where they find cars out of gas or in some kind of an accident on the side of the road and then learn the driver of the car is missing. They're very very difficult missing person cases.

GrandmaBear · Jul 30, 2020

Kimster said:
I've said this a million times, I can't stand these cases where they find cars out of gas or in some kind of an accident on the side of the road and then learn the driver of the car is missing. They're very very difficult missing person cases.

They are. I think part is because they appear two ways and a case can often be made either way and I would think it would also have to be somewhat that way for LE as well, not sure what to think--but they have more info than we do, usually, particularly nowadays with electronics, cameras and more.

Maura Murray comes to mind, just vanished apparently or did she... They will likely never have answers the way it looks...

I have hope in this one. She almost in either case has to be with someone or was picked up, whether willingly or not or received help from the wrong type of person (worst scenario). In any case, that means there is still hope.

Guess Who · Jul 30, 2020

GrandmaBear said:
You know, it might be nitpicky but here again, this shows some preparation. She has a face mask, it even matches her sweat shirt. She has a sweatshirt, a hair tie, prepared for cooler, then warmer weather, just meaning she has what she needs and appears to have planned. She stops for coffee, apparently a thing she enjoys doing it is said, apparently she has money for coffee, she looks calm in the photos... Maybe even been there before...? Yet she runs out of gas...

I mean NOTHING by this and more than anything I pray she is okay, and her parents find her soon, they must be out of their mind with worry--but just pointing it out in trying to put it all together, and speculating. I have three that believe me at younger times in their lives ran out of gas, as did I in my youth... However, the rest of what we see seems so planned for her day, weekend or outing, even with bags to stay somewhere...

The two things that do not fit is running out of gas and her cell phone being off now. That is the worrisome part that lends more towards an opportunistic unplanned abduction. It could not be a planned one as a perp could not know she would run out of gas. If she had a flat tire or something, I would look at that possibly differently...

And all of her things are apparently also in the car which is worrisome. Except her phone. I hope her parents actually pay her phone bill under their plan as they may have some options there and quickly then instead of having to wait on a warrant or some such because she is 18...

stops for coffee, but not gas... :sigh:

GrandmaBear · Jul 30, 2020

Guess Who said:
stops for coffee, but not gas...

Yeah, it just throws me. Although, don't get me wrong, I have seen it done... Not entirely atypical of that age... Some anyhow... However, again, all else looks fairly well thought out, just on the surface of what we know at least... I mean you will have say $20 and hope on a wing and a prayer that what is in your tank gets you through so you can spend your money on things you WANT... Coffee, lunch, movie...

Guess Who · Jul 30, 2020

GrandmaBear said:
Yeah, it just throws me. Although, don't get me wrong, I have seen it done... Not entirely atypical of that age... Some anyhow... However, again, all else looks fairly well thought out, just on the surface of what we know at least... I mean you will have say $20 and hope on a wing and a prayer that what is in your tank gets you through so you can spend your money on things you WANT... Coffee, lunch, movie...

and there's people like my dad that have actually ran out of gas, trying to make it to the 2 cents cheaper gas a few miles away.

GrandmaBear · Jul 30, 2020

Guess Who said:
and there's people like my dad that have actually ran out of gas, trying to make it to the 2 cents cheaper gas a few miles away.

LOL. I don't think my dad ever did that but he would plan for the lower price and could always tell one the lowest price in town and where to get gas on almost any given day. To this day, I don't think to look at gas price, even though I have never exactly been high in funds. I simply know when it hurts (gets high per gallon) and that it is something I need to travel to work,, etc... and not exactly a luxury (for work anyhow)...

SheWhoMustNotBeNamed · Jul 30, 2020

I keep going back and forth on this one. I have no doubt in my mind that she intentionally left home with plans to stay away (for a few days or for how long I have no idea).

But the gas thing keeps throwing me off. Was this planned with someone? ("Just drive until your car runs out of gas and I'll pick you up.") Or was it legit poor planning on her part and she wasn't paying attention to her gas tank? But if that's the case, why leave behind your purse and bags and sweatshirt? Just to stage the scene? (I mean, it's been done before...) I just don't know.

GrandmaBear said:
Is the second photo of the coffee shop lot or somewhere else do you know?

It doesn't appear to be the coffee stand. Like you said...no coffee in her hands. But it would have to be there or before. They said they have no video of her after she left the coffee shop.

GrandmaBear · Jul 30, 2020

SheWhoMustNotBeNamed said:
I keep going back and forth on this one. I have no doubt in my mind that she intentionally left home with plans to stay away (for a few days or for how long I have no idea).

But the gas thing keeps throwing me off. Was this planned with someone? ("Just drive until your car runs out of gas and I'll pick you up.") Or was it legit poor planning on her part and she wasn't paying attention to her gas tank? But if that's the case, why leave behind your purse and bags and sweatshirt? Just to stage the scene? (I mean, it's been done before...) I just don't know.

It doesn't appear to be the coffee stand. Like you said...no coffee in her hands. But it would have to be there or before. They said they have no video of her after she left the coffee shop.

I am being careful because I don't want to assume anything. Her parents lost another child which by the way I did look up, very tragic, several articles about it and prior accidents too in that area. I can't even imagine after something like that now having to worry this girl is safe. Anyone would be worried to death as it is without having lost a child before (different circumstances, years apart but still)...

I agree with you on what you say about the gas, that is what sends me back and forth. I can see it though. I can also see maybe whether stated or not, there may have been some control that she was straining against? That is in no way a knock I think it happens in any and every generation unless a parent is very fortunate or not telling the truth if they say all was perfect with their teenager or even 18 year old (that is an age many wait for)...

There are a few things to me, it stands out the remark of was it the mother of they had no idea she had plans as far as packed items... If the running out of gas was not planned, I am as worried as anyone, who did she trust for a ride... Then the leaving of her things... Yet, I can come up with thoughts to get those things to fit in... I don't have any money for gas, I won't get that far, well get as far as you can and then call me, etc. and I will come get you. OR meet me at the coffee shop or parking lot somewhere and I will follow you until you run out of gas... And then you ride with me... The leaving of the items maybe was concern that if the parents knew she had packed, they may be pinging her phone or tracking her, was it her car or in their names is another thought, maybe it was planned to return for her items, but by then she was being looked for or worried about by her parents? I hate to think they were left on purpose to make anyone worry, I doubt that somehow or hope not. Did the parents try calling her even before then and that is why the phone went off, maybe after her brother let them know she left? I have held off on speculating these things because I wouldn't want to EVER do such a thing if she had something terrible happen here but there are things here that don't quite fit and we have seen other recent 18 year olds.... And older even... Look at the 20 something that left her child and her phone was thrown in a dumpster. I think Covid too has probably made some normally controlling situations maybe more so...

Wouldn't a perp with any common sense be smarter to ensure her phone is left with the rest of her things...?

There are some "blips" of things through the articles here that stand out to me. A thought she may be headed to California and another thought that she was headed east. I looked at her Youtube makeup videos, she was pretty active, comfortable with the camera and makeup a few years ago, and online a lot, did she decide to quit doing that?

I feel for these parents and it is why I have not outright speculated, this is the most here now, because she could be a victim or foul play and in terrible danger so in no way do I want to minimize this or assume nothing bad happened because it may have. However there is much I feel that points to a voluntary disappearance. My fear always though is even if it started out that way, did it end that way and did they trust the wrong person...?

Even the way apparently the way she let the brother see she packed things but would not answer him when asked where she was going... Just thoughts.

I would like this to be the scenario as she would be safe but there is also enough reason here to fear...

JMO.

SheWhoMustNotBeNamed · Jul 31, 2020

Nothing new really, but they're still looking for dash cam footage...
A ground search is continuing today.

Detectives seek dashcam video in search for missing Maple Valley teen

Gia Fuda's car was found along Highway 2 near Stevens Pass on July 25. She was last seen the day before.

www.king5.com

kdg411 · Jul 31, 2020

I'm waiting for LE to release a statement to Gia directly advising her to contact them directly if she has left of her own free will.

SheWhoMustNotBeNamed · Aug 1, 2020

Oh my gosh! Search and rescue found her! ALIVE! After 8 days!

King County Search and Rescue | Bellevue WA

King County Search and Rescue, Bellevue, Washington. 8,736 likes · 78 talking about this. King County Search and Rescue, based in King County WA, has over 600 trained volunteers who respond t

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Found alive! We are beyond elated to report that Gia Fuda has been located alive after 8 days of searching. Look for an update from King County Sheriff's Office very soon.
Great work by the tenacious deputies and SAR volunteers!

SheWhoMustNotBeNamed · Aug 1, 2020

SheWhoMustNotBeNamed · Aug 1, 2020

Press Conference. I tried to summarize as best as I could.

Sheriff's Office: Gia Fuda has been found

The King County Sheriff's Office says Gia Fuda has been found alive. She was found deep in the woods, conscious and talking, a few miles from where her car was parked on the side of Hwy 2 east of Skykomish. Medics treated her on scene and she was transported to an area hospital. The sheriff's...

komonews.com

Bloodhound tracked Gia 1.75 miles westbound from her car.
Nearest gas station was far, about 10 miles.
Searched the area all around where the bloodhound had tracked too.
Tried to pinpoint her phone more, but it was a cellphone dead area which made it hard.
Today, at 2:45 pm deputy and SAR volunteers found a notebook.
Followed the creek from there and found some clothing and shoes.
Further up the creek (about 2 miles up a very steep ravine) found Gia alert and conscious.
Gave her medical support and aid there and then transported.
Stable condition.
Remarkable ending. 8 full days but 9th day today.
Family had been trying to help search as well. Parent are thrilled, of course.
Very thankful for SAR volunteers. A LOT of hours went into the search.
DON'T EVER QUIT!

QUESTIONS
Still trying to determine how she got into that area. She had water from the creek. She didn't have food. Will ask her when she's feeling better.
From her car, maybe 3-4 miles away. Huge search area to cover. Made it very difficult with very thick brush.
We're not sure if she was able to eat some berries. There were huckleberries up there. Not sure if she did eat them or not. Will ask her once we can talk to her.
Haven't been able to really talk to her yet other than figuring out she's okay.
Found notebook and clothing. Haven't looked through notebook yet.
We don't know how she got out there but we had the signs. Her purse in the car, running out of gas. We don't know how she got turned around or what. Maybe walking to get gas.
We found her bags in the car, yes.
SAR was here 7 days from early in the morning to late at night. Lots of travel involved. Many volunteers from other counties.
Cell phone - It was not in the car. We don't know if it "wasn't powered on" or if it just didn't have signal.
Very rare to find her alive after this long. Talking to SAR coordinator, this is the 2nd longest ever to find someone alive. 10 days is longest for them.
Will try to get a picture of the map to show where she was at.
We weren't going to be searching for very much longer. Maybe 1-2 more days at most. Not that we didn't want to find her but had to be reasonable.
Almost appeared that she was walking down the hill, possibly toward the nearest gas station (10 miles). Maybe she didn't realize how far it was.
We don't know why she would have gone into the woods at that point. Maybe got turned around. Again we can ask her when she's feeling better.
She didn't have anything with her.
What SHOULD you do if you run out of gas in a secluded area? - Put your hood up to let others know you're having vehicle trouble. Be cautious of who you get help from. If possible wait for police officer or DOT.
Every day around 50 SAR personnel as well as family. Several hundred throughout the week. Helicopter came out but could see anything due to dense woods.

GrandmaBear · Aug 2, 2020

So happy she is safe and alive! The best possible outcome. So relieved for her parents.

Not once did it ever cross my mind she would go into the woods. Why? Leaving your purse in plain sight but you have a notebook with you? Why not leave a note on your car or in it? She probably planned on coming back so probably did not occur to her. As much as we all worried about abduction, going into the woods and off the road seems far more dangerous to me, pretty sure it is the last choice I would make, unless she felt unsafe on the road alone at night or something or in her car. However, I was never under the impression this was at night. I had the impression she left home in the morning, got that far and ran out of gas. Was there some road or trail she was on and this was towards a town or following the creek maybe? Maybe she had a map or trail guide? Because no phone, no GPS. I still wonder where she was headed with bags and all to begin with. It sounds like they had a clue she may have went into the woods but I am still surprised.

With no shelter, no light, no food, no working phone, no extra clothing is my guess (if she ended up wet), she is very fortunate they found her. All that matters is she is okay. Her parents are probably getting their first peaceful sleep since she went missing, I cannot even imagine what they have been through.

GrandmaBear · Aug 2, 2020

'Definitely a miracle:' Maple Valley teen found alive after 9-day disappearance

The King County Sheriff's Office says Gia Fuda was found alive nine days after she was reported missing near Stevens Pass.

www.king5.com

This girl must have had a backpack or something with her, or she dropped the little she had on and with to be found. They found a notepad, shoes, etc. before finding her and when she was found she had a notepad and a few pieces of clothing only... So I am assuming she had other shoes as well or was stuck in the woods without shoes hoping to be found, I like going barefoot but not in the woods. Or media is still trying to get details straight.

Leaving a trail with what little she could? To be found? Smart move. Maybe she was going uphill hoping to get phone reception?

Again, so glad she is safe but she is fortunate if she left the roadside for the woods to be found safe 8 days later.

WA GIOVANNA "GIA" FUDA: Missing from Maple Valley, WA - 24 July 2020 - Age 18 *Found Alive*

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WA GIOVANNA "GIA" FUDA: Missing from Maple Valley, WA - 24 July 2020 - Age 18 Found Alive