By Josh Moniz, Mankato Free Press

NEW ULM — The body of the New Ulm woman missing for the last six days was found Saturday afternoon in woods surrounding Schell’s Brewery, according to the organizer of the 80 local volunteers who were searching for the woman.

Karen Schroeder, 51, reportedly left her home on foot Monday and was not seen or heard from during the following days. Police urged local residents to search the area for the woman, who was reportedly dealing with unspecified health concerns.

Tonia Smith of New Ulm confirmed Saturday evening that Schroeder was found dead in a wooded area along the Cottonwood River. She said the local volunteers worked tireless throughout the day to repeatedly sweep the woods following the river. She said the group was initially 50 people but an additional 30 people joined the search throughout the day.

“I thought it was important for me to do something,” Smith said. “I was impressed by the outpouring of love for this woman. (The volunteers) were adamant they would find her (Saturday) and they did.”

Smith said Schroeder’s discovery took so long because her body was covered in enough snow that volunteers missed her in the initial sweeps of the area. She said the turning point in the search was a volunteer discovering a new shoe and a murky pair of foot prints near the river. She said the body was so covered that volunteers did not realize they were standing right next to it until the third sweep.

The New Ulm Police Department assisted with K-9 units were also searching the area Saturday. A release from police about the body was expected later Saturday night. They have reportedly secured the scene. The family of the victim has reportedly been informed about the discovery of the body.

The cause of death has not yet been released. The local volunteers reported it appeared she had frozen to death, possibly after entering the river.