UPDATE: Search for missing hiker now called recovery effort

GARRARD COUNTY, Ky. (WTVQ) – Crews finished their search Thursday around 5:30 p.m. for a hiker who went missing in Garrard County on Wednesday and say the search is now considered a recovery effort.

Recovery crews are scheduled to meet Friday morning to determine when the recovery effort will continue.  Officials say it’s now a recovery effort because of the amount of time 40-year old Jessica Burke, of Frankfort, has been missing, the clothing she was wearing and the cold temperatures she would have been exposed to beginning Wednesday night.

Officials say Burke went hiking with her boyfriend Wednesday afternoon at Tom Dorman State Nature Preserve near Palisades Point.

Authorities say the boyfriend told them he went to take pictures and told her to stay put. He says when he came back, she was gone.

Police say he searched for about 30 minutes, then called 911.

Crews arrived at around 8:30 p.m. to start looking for Burke. Lexington’s infrared helicopter, drones and search dogs were brought in to help.

Searchers stopped early Thursday morning for a rest but resumed a few hours later.

Crews eventually suspended the search late Thursday afternoon.  They say they found some clothing and a knife, but no sign of Burke.  They say Burke reportedly had a knife with her like the one that was recovered.

Investigators say Burke’s boyfriend knew the area but she did not.

They say right now, this is considered a missing persons case.

Burke goes by the name “Angel”. She has brown hair, brown eyes and wears glasses. She’s 5’4″ and 120 lbs. She was last seen in a long white fluffy jacket and black jogging pants with a red stripe.

If anyone spots Burke, they are asked to call police.