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Human Remains Found In Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Submitted by NPT Staff on August 21, 2012 - 1:51pm

Human remains found in Great Smoky Mountains National Park are thought to be those of a man who went missing in the park this past March.

Park officials said Tuesday that park employees on Friday discovered items thought to belong to Michael Giovanni Cocchini, who disappeared in mid-March. The Nashville, Tennessee, man was last seen by friends at the Walmart in Sevierville on March 18. Rangers became suspicious when they noticed that a vehicle had been parked at a quiet walkway along Newfound Gap Road approximately 1 mile south of the Sugarlands Visitor Center.

On Saturday and Sunday searchers combed the area where clothing and other items consistent with those last seen on Mr. Cocchini were located. On Monday human remains were discovered in the area, but as of Tuesday had not been positively identified.

The remains are being sent to the medical examiner for analysis and possible identification.

Comments

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on November 9, 2012 - 8:45pm.

I grew up with Michael.. i just heard the news yesterday from my dad... I joined the navy almost 2 years ago now and went home on lIeave. I haven't. Spoken. Wi .Michael. since. Before hand.. but he was the kinda man that didn't. Matter what he was doing.. if you were say... Spreading. Gravel... Just doing no joke, straight. Up work.. manual. Labor... Etc... He would stop and pitch in. Never met a man like him since... .. Michael was full throttle in everything... he loved his dogs like they were his own children... Literally. Lol... Literally. I know this may not be the right medium to make these. Comments... But ill be damned. If nobody knew who michael was. And i dnt care who gets upset about it... Michael. Had a .way of making you feel a sense of purpose in everything. You did... Even if you didnt know him very well... He was first rate... And .one of those people that country even country songs are scared to sing about... He was raw, and wild... Probably more free than any man anywhere. Not to be cliche... But he was what john Wayne. Aspired to be... And you can put that in the bank. He grew up on Osburn rd. In Arrington TN. Bless his soul.