Texas hiker found dead in Great Smoky Mountains waterfall

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 12 Oct, 20:19 · Archive

Sahil Jilani, 24, was found dead three days after going missing in Tennessee's Great Smoky Mountains.

Sahil Jilani, a 24-year-old from Houston, Texas, was found dead three days after going missing in Tennessee's Great Smoky Mountains. His family believes he drowned after becoming caught in powerful hydraulic currents near Abrams Falls.

Jilani went missing on 5 October after going hours without checking in with his family, and his location-sharing had stopped in an area without cellular service. His car was found at the Abrams Falls parking lot on Wednesday, with his phone, keys and clothes discovered near the waterfall. Dive teams recovered his body from the falls the following day.

Abrams Falls drops approximately 25 feet into a deep pool of water. His family noted that the hydraulic currents at the falls can pull a person underwater and trap them in recirculating water, making escape extremely difficult, even for experienced swimmers. His cause of death has not been officially revealed.

His mother has been hospitalised following his death. Ten people died in the Great Smoky Mountains last year, according to the National Park Service.

How it is being reported

• Texas hiker found dead after going missing in Great Smoky Mountains, family saysSahil Jilani's phone, keys, and clothes were found near Abrams Falls before dive teams recovered his body in Tennessee's Great Smoky Mountains.Fox News · 12 Oct, 20:08
• Hiker found dead after going missing in Great Smoky MountainsA hiker was found dead three days after going missing while exploring the Great Smoky Mountains – and his family fears he drowned in a waterfall.New York Post · 12 Oct, 16:45

In this story: Sahil Jilani · Abrams Falls · Great Smoky Mountains · Houston · Tennessee · National Park Service

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