Kathy Van Altena-39-WEST BEND, Wis.-10/17/09[BODY FOUND]

[Heidi J.]

Washington County -- Police are still looking for a woman after her car was found in the Milwaukee River earlier today in the Town of Farmington.

After Kathy Van Altena's car was towed out of the water, rescuers found major damage to the front end and windshield. Police think Van Altena hit a retaining wall of a two-lane bridge over the Milwaukee River and went into the water.

"We know she was southbound on trading post trail and went into the river," said Captain Steve Gonwa.

Washington County divers spent hours searching the murky water of the Milwaukee River. Authorities found the car in 4 feet of water. Divers combed the water near the scene while others walked the riverbank and a section of the river looking for evidence.

http://www.wisn.com/news/21333808/detail.html

Police and her parents remain stumped after a West Bend woman's car ended up in a river early Sunday morning, but she wasn't found. Apparently she was able to get out of the vehicle.

But it's been a few days, and still no one has heard from 39-year-old Kathy Van Altena.

Her parents begged her to phone home.

Police are hopeful that she is OK, but her family and friends are heartsick waiting for some sign of Van Altena.

http://www.wisn.com/news/21343705/detail.html

[AJandTam]

Hmmmm maybe she got out of the car but didnt get far swimming because the water was too cold??

How big is West Bend. Another missing women there a few days ago.. that one was a domestic case though.

[BevAnn]

This is from the second link in Heidi's post:

"Van Altena was at a party at Sherry Baerber's house Saturday night above the Fillmore House Tavern, but she left without saying goodbye. Her car went in the river a half mile up the road."From leaving my driveway up, is what, a half mile? How do you fall asleep in that short of a period? That doesn't fit," Baerber said.

Baerber said she is overwhelmed by not knowing where Van Altena is.

"You don't know how to feel. You're so mad at her for leaving, but then you're so upset and worried cause she's not there," Baerber said.

Friends combed the area and divers searched the river all day Sunday, but came up with nothing.

Her parents said they are hopeful she's OK because her keys were not in her car, plus a friend in Milwaukee got a call from Van Altena's phone around 2 a.m. Sunday. However, the message was garbled, so it's unclear whether the call came before or after the accident. Van Altena's parents are hoping someone has seen her since."

Wonder what time she left the party? I guess the hostess can't tell LE, since Kathy left without saying goodbye.

[AJandTam]

This is from the second link in Heidi's post:

"Van Altena was at a party at Sherry Baerber's house Saturday night above the Fillmore House Tavern, but she left without saying goodbye. Her car went in the river a half mile up the road."From leaving my driveway up, is what, a half mile? How do you fall asleep in that short of a period? That doesn't fit," Baerber said.

Baerber said she is overwhelmed by not knowing where Van Altena is.

"You don't know how to feel. You're so mad at her for leaving, but then you're so upset and worried cause she's not there," Baerber said.

Friends combed the area and divers searched the river all day Sunday, but came up with nothing.

Her parents said they are hopeful she's OK because her keys were not in her car, plus a friend in Milwaukee got a call from Van Altena's phone around 2 a.m. Sunday. However, the message was garbled, so it's unclear whether the call came before or after the accident. Van Altena's parents are hoping someone has seen her since."

Wonder what time she left the party? I guess the hostess can't tell LE, since Kathy left without saying goodbye.

Her keys not in the car. Hmmmmm now that's interesting.

[Heidi J.]

Her keys not in the car. Hmmmmm now that's interesting.

Yes.. that is what I thought too.

I checked.. no updates.

[omsk99]

"Prior to the accident, Van Altena was hanging out with friends at Fillmore House Tavern in Fillmore. Tavern owner Art Birch says Van Altena was in and out of the bar. Witnesses say Van Altena left the tavern for good around 2:00 a.m.

She made a phone call about 25 minutes later to an acquaintance. The phone call was garbled, but the acquaintance was led to believe that she had been in an accident."

http://www.fox6now.com/news/witi-091019-missing-woman-car,0,4599024.story

Per other articles, she was at a party above the tavern, but per this link, she was in and out of the bar, too. Wonder how much she had to drink?.. So the last anyone hear from her was around 2:25 am, per this link - which means she did call someone after the accident. She's been in two car accidents in a short period of time (the first one caused her to lose her job)...

[omsk99]

http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/64705027.html
http://www.wisn.com/news/21332467/detail.html
http://www.620wtmj.com/news/local/64721637.html

Some reports say her friend couldn't understand what she was saying when she called him at 2:26 am, while others say she told him she had been in an accident. If I understood correctly it was a message, she didn't actually speak to him.

[bugout]

Kathy has been found deceased. I'm so sorry :rose:
http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/64705027.html

[leema24]

Thanks for the update...so sorry to hear.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-wi-river-missingwoma,0,4572855.story

[BevAnn]

oh no. :sad: So sad. I was so afraid of this outcome though.

:rose: RIP Kathy

[AJandTam]

Yes.. that is what I thought too.

I checked.. no updates.

Hi Heidi. I read ahead and I guess they found her body now. I can't say I understand this one. Looks like they are saying it was an accident most likely due to drinking. Why people do that, i'll never understand. Just weird how she was in and out of the bar that night then leaves w/out saying anything , then no keys in the car. Surely she didn't take out the keys in the middle of an accident like this???? Weird. So sorry for her family.

How did she make a cell phone call after the accident? Wouldn't a cell phone have been damaged by the water???

[Santa'sMom]

Hi Heidi. I read ahead and I guess they found her body now. I can't say I understand this one. Looks like they are saying it was an accident most likely due to drinking. Why people do that, i'll never understand. Just weird how she was in and out of the bar that night then leaves w/out saying anything , then no keys in the car. Surely she didn't take out the keys in the middle of an accident like this???? Weird. So sorry for her family.

How did she make a cell phone call after the accident? Wouldn't a cell phone have been damaged by the water???

Excellent questions AJ&T. So, was it an accident or was it something more sinister? Regardless, another person gone far too early.

[Heidi J.]

Hi Heidi. I read ahead and I guess they found her body now. I can't say I understand this one. Looks like they are saying it was an accident most likely due to drinking. Why people do that, i'll never understand. Just weird how she was in and out of the bar that night then leaves w/out saying anything , then no keys in the car. Surely she didn't take out the keys in the middle of an accident like this???? Weird. So sorry for her family.

How did she make a cell phone call after the accident? Wouldn't a cell phone have been damaged by the water???

Hi AJ&T. I am not sure, maybe she made it out of the water and was able to call the friend, but then died from her injuries. That would explain the keys being gone. I think you are right, this seems like a DWI accident. So sad..

[AJandTam]

Excellent questions AJ&T. So, was it an accident or was it something more sinister? Regardless, another person gone far too early.

Thanks Santa. Definately gone to soon. I really don't know but there are some weird questions in this one. The articles sounded like they were ruling this a drunk driving accident.

[AJandTam]

Hi AJ&T. I am not sure, maybe she made it out of the water and was able to call the friend, but then died from her injuries. That would explain the keys being gone. I think you are right, this seems like a DWI accident. So sad..

Hi Heidi. I can't imagine if your car goes over the edge into the water that in a fight for survival you would take the keys. And how on earth did the phone work after being submerged in water??

[newher2well]

? if friends wouldnt of lied about her actual condition that nite this may be different! they new she had pills for injuries to previous accident they new she was out since approx 2 pm that afternoon what were they also hiding what were they afraid of? friends pffffffffffft make you wonder if there is any true friends anymore. now at least shell be in peace.

[Blut0]

Yeah she was definitely impaired on something. I worked with this woman at the job she was most recently fired from. She called in 2-3 days a week and was let go for attendance. She had an accident about 8 months ago where she ran a stop sign and got tboned. 2 months later she got another ticket for ignoring road signs. and now this. Between the painkillers and whatever else she was probably just trying to get out and home and never made it. From what I've heard she wasn't even majorly injurned in the accident. probably froze. Guess we'll wait on toxicology.

[newher2well]

U nailed it on the head !!!!!!!!!!! still if she had real friends she wouldve never been t boned prior to easter sunday time to leave her rest in peace

[Heidi J.]

Hi Heidi. I can't imagine if your car goes over the edge into the water that in a fight for survival you would take the keys. And how on earth did the phone work after being submerged in water??

Not sure..:confused:

[omsk99]

Hi AJ&T. I am not sure, maybe she made it out of the water and was able to call the friend, but then died from her injuries. That would explain the keys being gone. I think you are right, this seems like a DWI accident. So sad..

That's the only explanation that makes sense to me, since she did call a friend, from which he understood she was in an accident (although it's not clear if he actually spoke to her, or if she left a voicemail).

So sad, RIP :rose:

[newher2well]

were car was submerged was only three feet deep she usually wore a leather riding jacket. she is 6 feet tall phone might of never been fully submerged

[kelloggirl]

Hi AJ&T. I am not sure, maybe she made it out of the water and was able to call the friend, but then died from her injuries. That would explain the keys being gone. I think you are right, this seems like a DWI accident. So sad..

Yup, that's what I was thinking. She could've hit her head quite hard, but still been conscious and seemingly OK, grabbing her keys and purse right away and maybe the water didn't flood the car before she got out - after all it's really hard to open the door once the car is completely submerged. So she walks out, and then succumbs to her injuries.

Think of the case of actress Natasha Richardson, who fell and then seemed perfectly fine, talking, etc., for some time before then quickly succumbing to internal bleeding in her brain. The autopsy should be able to determine this.

[Blut0]

Nope, an article I read said the cause of death was not determined from the autopsy and they were waiting on toxicology. I still haven't found the toxicology results. Must have been closed to family and close friends. Anybody else stumble across this yet? Or have heard anything?