Texas hiker found dead after going missing in Great Smoky Mountains, family says

Texas Hiker Found Dead After Three Days Missing in Great Smoky Mountains

A 24‑year‑old Houston resident was discovered dead in the Tennessee Great Smoky Mountains National Park after a 72‑hour search that began on Friday, Oct. 5. Authorities recovered the body the following day from the waters of Abrams Falls, a 25‑foot drop that can generate strong hydraulic currents.

Sahil Jilani vanished while hiking near the park’s water‑fall area. His family had not heard from him for several hours, and his GPS‑enabled phone stopped transmitting in a region with no cell service. Despite the park’s recommendation that visitors avoid swimming or attempting to climb waterfalls, Jilani’s body was pulled from the pool by dive teams on Saturday, Oct. 6. The recovery team found the hiker’s car, keys, phone and clothing abandoned at a nearby parking lot, and the remains were identified by the National Park Service.

The Jilani family released a statement through an online fundraiser on Sunday, expressing profound grief. “We share the sudden, heartbreaking loss of our beloved brother, Sahil, and the hospitalization of our mother after learning she has lost her precious son, our little angel and most beautiful gift,” the message read. His sister, Asma Jilani Bustamante, who organized the fundraiser, added that she had urged patience at first, noting that hikers often lose contact where there is no network coverage. “But as the hours passed, our fear grew, and we continued requesting help,” she said.

Officials have not yet released an official cause of death, but family members believe Jilani drowned after being caught in the falls’ powerful currents. The National Park Service warned that Abrams Falls drops 25 feet into a deep pool, and that the water’s recirculating currents can pull a person underwater, making escape extremely difficult—even for experienced swimmers. “Swimming and tubing are not recommended,” the NPS said. The agency also cautioned against climbing to the top of waterfalls, noting that rocks are slick with algae and that several hikers have fallen and been seriously injured or killed.

Jilani had recently become an uncle and was “beyond excited to spoil his little niece with gifts and teach her mixed martial arts and self‑defense, sharing his passion for fitness,” his sister recalled.

The park’s natural hazards include narrow roads, blind curves, and steep drop‑offs, and it has no lifeguarded swimming areas. The National Park Service continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fatal accident. The family’s fundraiser is open to donations to cover funeral expenses and other costs associated with the loss.