Displaying items by tag: nashville man missing in smokies

Search centered on Big Creek area near TN/NC line

HARTFORD — Park rangers and others searching for a 21-year-old man found his body in the Big Creek area of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Ryan Lakes was last seen Sept. 18 in Nashville. His vehicle was found in the park on Sept. 20.

In an update on the search Monday afternoon, the park service released the following statement:

"Ryan Lakes was found deceased at approximately 2:45 p.m. on Sept. 21 in the Big Creek area of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

“Lakes, age 21, was last seen Thursday, Sept. 18 in Nashville, TN and his vehicle was found in the Big Creek area of the park on Sept. 20. Park rangers and local agencies completed an initial search on Sept. 20 and continued search efforts on Sept. 21.“