Last Updated on May 16, 2016 9:59 pm
The National Park Service is looking for a man in connection to a hiker found tied to a tree. The incident occurred Thursday afternoon when officials responded to a call for a lost hiker in around the Craggy Gardens portion of the Parkway. When crews arrived they found a 64 year old woman tied to a tree. The woman was transported to Mission Hospital in Asheville and is alive, according to the Asheville Citizen Times.
The National Park Service has issued a statement seeking information about a person of interest in the area.
National Park Service Press Release:
NPS investigators have assembled information regarding a possible suspect description and ask again that any information be shared via the Tip Line at 888-653-0009.
Suspect information: White male, approximately 50 years old, with salt and pepper hair. Believed to have partially grown in (scruff and unkept) facial hair. Believed to be wearing a light or faded grey short sleeve T-shirt, baggy blue pants that appear to be old and faded, and a dark pair of tennis shoes. Additionally, the subject may appear and smell of a musty odor of being unwashed in several days.
National Park Service Rangers on the Blue Ridge Parkway are currently investigating a possible assault that occurred in the area of Craggy Gardens on Thursday afternoon, May 12, 2016. NPS investigators are interested in receiving any information related to suspicious persons, behavior or activity around Craggy Gardens and along the Mountains to Sea Trail in that area between 12:00 noon and 4:00 PM on Thursday May 12, 2016. Any person who may have information believed to be of interest to the investigation are urged to call the NPS investigative tip line at 888-653-0009.
We do not have reason to believe this incident was anything other than an isolated event. All visitor facilities in the area remain open. Additional information related to this case will be shared as it becomes available.
