Authorities with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office say 46-year-old Rachel Louise Rice, a mentally ill woman who disappeared on Aug. 2, 2005, likely died of exposure and no foul play is suspected in the case.

Rice, who suffered from schizophrenia, was last seen dirty and confused at her friend’s home on Old Stage Road. Her friend was busy and declined to give Rice a ride to her father’s home. Rice then left the residence on foot.

A miner located Rice’s remains on Jan. 5 in the 3000 block of Old Military Road which is just a few miles away from where Rice was last seen.

The day Rice disappeared was a scorching hot summer day.