24-Year-Old Hiker Dies After Missing Near Great Smoky Mountains Waterfall

2 min read

A 24-year-old hiker was found dead in Tennessee’s Great Smoky Mountains three days after going missing, according to authorities. Sahil Jilani, from Houston, Texas, went missing in the national park last Monday and was found dead near Abrams Falls on Thursday. His family fears he may have drowned, though the cause of death has not been confirmed.

Missing for Three Days

Jilani went “hours without checking in,” and his location sharing on his phone was not working because he was in an area without cellular service, the family’s GoFundMe page said. Authorities found his car at the Abrams Falls parking lot on Wednesday and located his clothes, keys, and cell phone near the waterfall, which is 20- to 25-feet deep. His body was recovered the next day.

Risks of Waterfall Exploration

The family believes he drowned after becoming caught in powerful hydraulic currents. They explained that the waterfall drops approximately 25 feet into a deep pool of water, and the hydraulic currents can pull a person underwater and trap them in recirculating water, making escape extremely difficult, even for experienced swimmers.

Family’s Emotional Response

Jilani’s sister, Asma Jilani Bustamante, a former entertainment journalist, described her brother as a “pure, kind, generous soul” who wanted to help his mom retire and his dad with “dental procedures.” Jilani had also recently become an uncle and was excited to “spoil her and teach her martial arts,” Bustamante said.

Jilani’s mom was hospitalized after “losing her precious son,” his siblings said. Officials warn of getting too close to the edge of waterfalls because they can be “extremely slippery,” and noted the risks that come with navigating “narrow mountain roads, blind curves, and steep drop-offs.”

Public Safety Advisories

Officials urge hikers in the area to thoroughly research their planned activities and carry alternative communication devices because cell service is “extremely limited.” Last year, ten people lost their lives in the Great Smoky Mountains, according to the National Park Service.

Source: Breitbart

Written by

claire.thomson