UPDATE:
Ryan Lakes found deceased in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
GATLINBURG, Tenn.—Ryan Lakes was found deceased at approximately 2:45 p.m. on September 21 in the Big Creek area of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Lakes, age 21, was last seen Thursday, Sept. 18 in Nashville, TN and his vehicle was found in the Big Creek area of the park on Sept. 20. Park rangers and local agencies completed an initial search on Sept. 20 and continued search efforts on Sept. 21.
The NPS thanks several organizations that assisted with this search:
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Metropolitan Nashville Police Department.
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Cocke County Sheriff’s Office.
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Haywood County Sheriffs Office.
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U.S. Forest Service.
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Rhea County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit.
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Bradley County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit.
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BUSAR Search and Rescue.
Please respect the privacy of the family during this difficult time.
Park rangers searching for missing man near Big Creek
GATLINBURG, Tenn. — Park rangers are searching for a 21-year-old man in the Big Creek area of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Ryan Lakes was last seen Thursday, Sept. 18 in Nashville, TN. His vehicle was found in the park on Sept. 20.
Lakes is a white male with brown hair and hazel eyes. He is 5’5” tall and weighs 130 pounds. He was last seen wearing dark color gym shorts, a dark color T-shirt, brown tennis shoes and a black backpack.
Several organizations are assisting the National Park Service with the search.
Anyone who saw Lakes or has any information about his whereabouts is asked to please contact us:
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CALL the NPS Tip Line 888-653-0009
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ONLINE go.nps.gov/SubmitATip
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EMAIL nps_isb@nps.gov
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EMERGENCY dial 9-1-1
Ryan Lakes
