Authorities: Hopf left under her own power

Investigators said Friday morning that  there is no evidence to suggest that foul play was involved in the disappearance of a rural Crawfordsville woman. Instead, the information they’ve uncovered suggests that her disappearance stemmed from the pressures she was dealing with on a day-to-day basis.

Sharon Hopf, 45, failed to show up for work Thursday morning (Jan. 5) at Hopf Furniture in Kalona. Later that evening, Hopf was reported missing to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office by her husband and other family members who had been looking for her throughout the day.

Hopf’s vehicle was discovered two days  later  by the Warren County, Missouri Sheriff’s Office near Wright City, Missouri, which is located approximately 30 miles West of St. Louis, Missouri on Interstate 70.  The car was located at an abandoned home located at 28566 Hwy F just outside the city limits.  The surrounding area near the location of Hopf’s car was searched, but she was not located. Hopf’s car was searched and processed for evidence. During that examination, several items were collected and examined for fingerprint and DNA evidence at the DCI’s Crime Laboratory.

The Warren County, Missouri Sheriff’s Office organized and conducted a thorough grid search of a one-mile radius in the area Wednesday where Hopf’s car was located.  Again, she was not located.

Authorities stressed there is no threat to public safety stemming from this incident in and around Washington County.

The following statement was released on behalf of the family of Sharon Hopf and read by Perry Hopf, husband of Sharon Hopf, at the press conference:

“My name is Perry Hopf and my wife is Sharon.  My family and I trust that everything that can be done to find Sharon is being done.  We want Sharon to know that we understand the stress she has recently been under and just want her to contact us and let us know that she is okay.  Sharon if you see this, please know that I love you and miss you, and that you are the most important thing to me.”