NATIONAL Police are calling for help in finding an American woman who has gone missing whilst walking the Camino de Santiago, or pilgrims' route to the north-western cathedral city.
Denise Pikka Thiem, 40, was last seen in the Hotel Suero de Quiñones in the León province village of Hospital de Órbigo 24 days ago, on April 4.
She was undertaking the Santiago walk alone, but is said to be fit, healthy and an experienced hiker.
According to the hotel owner, Denise left that morning after breakfast and checking out, paying with a credit card, and has not been seen since.
Denise's brother Cedric, who lives with her in Arizona, has travelled to Spain to help search for her.
He said she would never have gone missing voluntarily.
Cedric said he began to get worried when he stopped getting calls and emails from his sister, since they spoke on Skype every other day and she sent him daily emails.
In fact, given that they are very close, Cedric knows her email password, and signed into her account to see whether she had written to anyone else in the days since she had not been seen.
He contacted with some of the other 'pilgrims' Denise had met en route, including Javier Pombo who said he met her on March 26 and she became friends instantly with his daughter and three nieces and nephews.
“She is a very intelligent girl, very prudent and very organised.
“We met when she asked me how the best way to fly home to the USA was – whether via Lisbon or Madrid.
“She learnt Spanish very quickly and the Camino was her last 'adventure' before returning home after three months of travelling round the world – first through Asia, then a quick stop in France, before visiting Spain.
“We got along very well and were walking together for five days.”
Denise's last email was sent to another woman she met on the walk, called Lisley.
The title was 'Hello from Astorga', although there has been no sighting of Denise in Astorga.
Another woman, Noemí, said Denise had been sending her messages for a few days and reported that she had met an Italian man whom she had spent a couple of days with.
Denise is described as being 5'3” (1.6m), weighing between 7st 12lb and 8st 7lb (50 to 53 kilos), with a tattoo on her lower back and long, straight, dark hair.
She has slightly oriental and Indian features.
Anyone who may have seen her is asked to call (0034) 987 616 091 or email help.denise.now@gmail.com.
The second photograph was taken by Javier Pombo during the walk.
