Spotted by a local fisherman, Daniela Adamcova was later identified by researchers and friends — but there are still scant clues as to what happened to her.
Primorje - Gorski Kotar Police DepartmentWith no identification , cell headphone — or computer storage — the woman ’s identity remains a mystery .
It was Sunday , September 12 , at 10 a.m. when the Croatian fisher spotted her on an outcropping of jagged rocks off the coast of Krk Island . When he called police and an emergency rescue team arrive to preserve her , they involve her for her name — which she could n’t remember .
After nearly two workweek of regional police blast out her photo , answers finally total when a U.S. researcher used facial recognition software to identify Adamcova , a Slovakian citizen most latterly living in Los Angeles . Friends of hers from the area soon confirmed that it was her .
Primorje-Gorski Kotar Police DepartmentWith no identification, cell phone — or memory — the woman’s identity remains a mystery.
As it turned out , Adamcova had expend the week prior to her rescue journey through Croatia by herself — after turning off her cellphone and discarding its SIM card . Her fears were rooted in give out COVID-19 quarantine protocol .
Not only did she last in the U.S. between 1984 and 2015 , but Adamcova was a prolific jewellery intriguer . According toUSA Today , her pieces have been worn by none other than Diana Ross , Barbra Streisand , and Brigitte Bardot . How she got strand on a Croatian outcrop , meanwhile , is even more gripping .
Stefan Munder / FlickrThe rescue squad hiked nearly two miles to reach the char ’s outside location .
Stefan Munder/FlickrThe rescue team hiked nearly two miles to reach the woman’s remote location.
“ It ’s very strange that she was in the orbit at all , ” one local said . “ It is an extremely inaccessible part of the embayment , with atrociously sharp rocks , literally like razors that will cut the natural rubber on the soles of your shoes . ”
While many parts of Krk are linked to the mainland by a bridge , this domain was so inhospitable and remote that professional help was imperative . concord toCNN , the fisherman himself was ineffective to attain it as the rocks would ’ve run his boat aground . He thus apprize constabulary who dispatched Croatia ’s Mountain Rescue Services ( HGSS ) .
A 14 - military man rescue team saved Adamcova ’s life . They used two ATVs to accomplish the region and ultimately had to abandon the fomite and hike well-nigh two more miles . With no recognition , phone , or remembering , Adamcova ’s identity element was a mystery .
Primorje-Gorski Kotar Police DepartmentThe woman speaks perfect English but can’t remember her name.
“ Down on the shore , we found a woman with minor injuries , she also had a few scratches and was extremely desiccate and waste , ” aver the HGSS . “ She could barely take a few sip of weewee . We order her on a stretcher because she was unable to walk , and channelize her to the infirmary . ”
Primorje - Gorski Kotar Police DepartmentThe woman speaks gross English but ca n’t remember her name .
While Adamcova was recuperate in a mainland facility in Rijeka , authorities were scratching their heads . There was no reasonable explanation as to how she beget to the outcrop , and nobody on the mainland recognized her from the pamphlet . Ultimately , it hold 13 daylight for friends and coworkers to hear the news .
Left: Croatia Police Handout; Right: NinaSmidt/InstagramNina Smidt saw Adamcova’s photo online and immediately contacted the police.
Nina Smidt had knead with Adamcova as an journeyman in 2015 and revealed she had been stateless for a while . Smidt explain she “ had pass into hard times and risky luck , ” but “ was a really good worker , smart , and she has a grand heart . ” luckily , Smidt saw Adamcova ’s photo online and name police .
At the time , all authorities knew were the basics . The cleaning woman was a blonde , blue - eyed adult around 60 years old with a intermediate figure and stood at five - foot - six . They disentangle missing somebody register , hotel , apartment complexes , and encampment — but found no one that distinguish her until Smidt called police .
“ She speaks English , but she does not remember her identity , ” the police said . “ She is currently locate in infirmary and is in stable condition . ”
NinaSmidt/InstagramDaniela Adamcova had worked with Smidt at an artisan company after becoming homeless.
Left : Croatia Police Handout ; mightily : NinaSmidt / InstagramNina Smidt saw Adamcova ’s pic online and immediately reach the law .
Adamcova had been profiled by a Slovakian news way out as a successful jewelry designer in 2008 . She moved to Los Angeles at 19 and worked as a housekeeper and nanny until she enrolled at the Fashion Institute of Design and Trade in Santa Monica .
After dating a Hollywood producer , she managed to get her firearm onto the sets of display likeSabrina The Teenage WitchandMelrose Place . She sold jewelry to cast members ofFriendsand sent her study to exhibitions in Japan , New York , and Hong Kong . Ultimately , a train of bad luck landed her on Skid Row .
Adamcova had been placed in the artisan company Smidt managed by a non - profit company that helped homeless the great unwashed , fit in toThe Daily Beast . Operating out of a storage warehouse in Los Angeles , Second Space demonstrate a honest job for Adamcova . Landlord Tyler Madsen even let her live there rent - spare .
“ I recognized the woman in the photo forthwith , ” said Smidt . “ The 2d I saw her word picture , I sent it to Tyler to reassert that it was her , which he confirmed . ”
“ One hundred percent , ” Madsen added . “ There is no doubt in my mind it ’s her . ”
NinaSmidt / InstagramDaniela Adamcova had work with Smidt at an artisan party after becoming homeless .
Smidt recalled Adamcova thirstily want to travel to Ireland . Meanwhile , tourists in the Czech Republic said they saw her there on September 9 . She tell them she had traveled from Slovakia by train and was project to return to her family after exploring Croatia .
“ She move on the stumble alone , ” the tourists said . “ And because she feared a 14 - day quarantine after arriving back in Slovakia , she turn off her phone and cast out her SIM calling card . ”
Croatian news services reported that Daniela Adamcova remained in the infirmary as of Wednesday .
After reading about the adult female who was rescued from a Croatian island she ca n’t remember traveling to , learn aboutthe message in a bottleful that save the lives of imperil tramp . Then , say aboutthe Thai oil outfit worker who deliver a cad that had been swimming 135 miles offshore .
