Texas hiker found dead in Great Smoky Mountains after 72-hour search

Sahil Jilani, a 24-year-old from Houston, Texas, was found dead in Tennessee's Great Smoky Mountains three days after vanishing. His family believes he drowned after becoming caught in powerful hydraulic currents near Abrams Falls. Jilani disappeared on October 5, an event that left his mother with what she described as an overwhelming feeling that something was terribly wrong. The family announced the death through an online fundraiser, noting the subsequent hospitalization of Jilani's mother upon learning of her son's loss.

Concerns arose when Jilani failed to check in for several hours and his location-sharing feature stopped functioning in an area devoid of cell service. Asma Jilani Bustamante, Jilani's sister and the organizer of the fundraiser, explained that while hikers frequently lose contact in such areas, the family's fear intensified as time passed without news. She noted that Jilani was aware of the anxiety his silence would cause. After 72 hours missing, searchers located Jilani's vehicle in a parking lot. His phone, keys, and clothing were later recovered near the waterfall. The following day, dive teams retrieved his body from the waters at Abrams Falls.

The family stated their belief that Jilani drowned after becoming trapped in the water's powerful currents. They highlighted that Abrams Falls drops approximately 25 feet into a deep pool where the force of the water can submerge individuals and hold them in a circular flow. According to the family, this mechanism makes it nearly impossible to break free, even for skilled swimmers. Bustamante added that Jilani had recently become an uncle and was eager to share his passion for fitness and mixed martial arts with his new niece.

National Park Service officials have warned that the Smoky Mountains feature narrow roads, blind curves, and steep drop-offs. The park does not have any lifeguarded swimming areas. In a statement, the NPS advised against swimming and tubing, and cautioned against attempting to climb to the top of waterfalls due to slippery algae on the rocks, which have led to serious injuries or deaths for other hikers. An official cause of death has not yet been disclosed. Fox News Digital has contacted the National Park Service for further comment.