Former Spanish Olympian Blanca Fernandez Ochoa Found Dead

1992 Olympic slalom bronze medalist, Blanca Fernandez Ocha, was found dead on Wednesday in the Cercedilla Mountains in Spain. The skier had been missing since August 23.

Spain’s Civil Guard said the 56-year-old’s body was found near Penota Mountain, not far from the parking lot where her car was found. The discovery ends an extensive search for the Olympic medalist that began after she was reported missing nearly two weeks ago. She was last seen in the district of Aravaca, near Madrid.

“The solidarity, support and human warmth in the Cercedilla mountain range has been touching,” Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, tweeted. “The emergency services and numerous volunteers have got involved in the search for Blanca Fernandez Ochoa but it wasn’t meant to be. I send my thoughts to all her family.”

No cause of death has been announced as of press time.

Fernandez Ochoa competed in four Winter Olympics between 1980 and 1992 and became the first Spanish woman to win a medal at the Winter Olympics when she earned her bronze in the 1992 Olympic slalom in Albertville, France.