She Was A Driven College Student With A Bright Future, And She Vanished While Hiking In A Region Riddled With Supernatural Rumors
In 1946, Paula Jean Welden of Bennington, Vermont, was a driven college student with a bright future. She was the eldest of her four siblings at 18-years-old and the first in her family to pursue higher education.
Paula studied art with a focus on charcoal sketching and watercolor. She also enjoyed creating black-and-white illustrations and painting murals.
And to earn money, Paula worked on the side as a waitress at her campus dining hall. For fun, she enjoyed square dancing, swimming, cycling, and hiking.
But, come one chilly afternoon in December, Paula did the unexpected. After ending her Sunday supper shift at the Bennington College dining hall, she went back to her dorm room and changed into her walking clothes.
Then, Paula left with no coat or supplies– setting out to hike the Long Trail by herself.
She first hitchhiked from Vermont’s Route 67 to State Route 9. Then, Paula was dropped off about two miles away from the trailhead.
Once she actually entered the trail, the sunset was near, and Paula had no coat, food, or water with her as the Vermont winter temperatures began to drop. And at 4:00 p.m., Paula was last seen on the trail– never heard from again afterward.
The region where Paula disappeared– known as the “Bennington Triangle”– has been riddled with supernatural rumors. The triangle gained its reputation after five people vanished within its borders. And since being coined the “Bennington Triangle,” an additional two people have disappeared in the vicinity.
As for Paula, she never showed up to her classes the following day– which led to her being reported missing.
Matt – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only
Both the National Guard and volunteers quickly launched a search effort throughout the entire trail. Unfortunately, though, no indicators of Paula were ever found.
Her strange disappearance prompted locals to theorize about what had happened. Some speculated that Paula might have used her hiking plans as an excuse to flee and start over with a man.
Others believed she might have fallen, hurt her head, and stumbled off the trail while suffering from amnesia.
Certain newspapers even issued different reports. Some claimed that Paula had been spotted purchasing bus tickets while states away. Others stated that she had been at a diner with an older and abusive man.
But, none of these theories or sightings ever proved truthful.
Eventually, however, one man, Fred Gadette, garnered attention from authorities after he claimed to have spotted Paula walking past the front of his cabin. Fred also alleged that he could point out the exact spot she had been buried in the woods.
Still, even after the police followed up on this tip, Fred’s claims were found to be false. Forensic analysis showed that Fred’s property was not the scene of a crime, and the man was dismissed.
And throughout the entire investigation into Paula’s case, officials and troopers were called in from surrounding states– such as Connecticut and New York– to help Vermont authorities.
At the time, there just was not a comparable agency within the state.
Paula’s disappearance pushed this reality to the forefront of Vermont residents’ minds. They were outraged that, as taxpayers, there was no local agency to help.
That’s why, in July 1947, both Vermont residents and elected officials pushed for the formation of the first Vermont State Police (VSP) force.
But, while Paula’s case helped to finally end a 10-year struggle within the Vermont Legislature to pass Act No. 163, she still tragically remains missing.
Vermont State Police – pictured above is Paula
At the time of her disappearance, Paula was five foot five, weighed 122 pounds, and wore her blonde hair in a long bob.
If you have any information regarding Paula’s case, you are urged to contact the Vermont State Police at (802) 244-8727.
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