Great Smoky Mountains -- September 2, 2026: Following a multi-day search across the region, 29-year-old Marcin Bachleda-Blaszczak has been confirmed safe in North Carolina outside Great Smoky Mountains National Park boundaries.
Bachleda-Blaszczak, a resident of Lockport, Illinois, was last seen on August 22 in the parking lot of the Sugarlands Visitor Center near Gatlinburg, Tennessee. His disappearance prompted an extensive multi-agency operation after his unattended vehicle was found on-site with his wallet, backpack, extra shoes, and cash left inside.
The Search: Dozens of National Park Service rangers, partner emergency management personnel, canine units, drone operators, and volunteers conducted coordinated grid searches on and off trail across difficult mountain terrain.
The Resolution: Park officials confirmed Tuesday afternoon that Bachleda-Blaszczak had been located alive and safe on the North Carolina side of the area.
Official Status: The National Park Service extended deep gratitude to all agencies, volunteers, and citizens who submitted tips, noting that the incident remains under active investigation.
His family released a public statement expressing immense relief and thanking the search teams, emergency crews, and everyone who kept up hope. They have requested privacy as they focus on their reunion.