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24-year-old hiker missing in Great Smoky Mountains found dead after dayslong search

Katherine Langford
Editor-in-Chief · Monday, October 12, 2026 at 4:21 AM · 1 min read
24-year-old hiker missing in Great Smoky Mountains found dead after dayslong search — ABC 7 Suncoast SWFL, Marco Island Health news
Image: ABC 7 Suncoast SWFL

BLOUNT COUNTY, Tenn. (WVLT/Gray News) - A 24-year-old man was hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park when his phone became untraceable, setting off a dayslong search that ended in tragedy.Sahil Jilani, 24, went missing while hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains. Park officials say he was last seen around 8 p.m. last Monday at the Riverstone Campground in Townsend. His car was found at the Abrams Falls trailhead Wednesday.The next day, divers found Jilani’s body in the water at Abrams Falls, according to his family. His phone, keys and clothes were also found near the falls.While waiting for official reports, Jilani’s family believes he drowned after getting caught in powerful currents near the waterfall.“With heavy hearts, we share the loss of our beloved brother, Sahil Jilani... Sahil was a pure, kind, generous soul who always cared for others. He dreamed of helping Mom retire, taking on her bills and helping Dad with dental procedures. A new uncle, he couldn’t wait to spoil

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