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Body Of Missing Hiker Found At Great Smoky Mountains National Park

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By NPT Staff - October 2nd, 2018

The body of Susan Clements was found Tuesday afternoon in Great Smoky Mountains National Park/NPS HO

The body of an Ohio woman missing in Great Smoky Mountains National Park for the past week was found Tuesday afternoon not far from the Clingmans Dome parking lot.

Park staff, in a brief release, said the body of Mitzie Sue “Susan” Clements, 53, was found about two miles west of the Clingmans Dome parking area, and three-quarters of a mile south of the Appalachian Trail.

No further details were expected Tuesday evening from the park.

More than 500 miles of trails had been searched in the park to find the woman, who went missing on September 25 while out for a hike with her daughter. Another 10 square miles, roughly, of off-trail landscape have been searched in the effort to find Clements. Searchers, canine teams, helicopters, and drones searched the steep, rugged terrain of the mountainous area that straddles the North Carolina – Tennessee border.

Clements and her daughter had separated on their hike, with plans to meet back at the Clingmans Dome parking lot. 

Comments

Submitted by MichelleP on October 2, 2018 - 8:05pm.

Glad they found her, sad this was the outcome. :(


Submitted by C Eddy on October 2, 2018 - 8:24pm.

so sad. Sorry for her family. 


Submitted by JimH on October 2, 2018 - 9:07pm.

Always stick with the buddy system two together are better than one alone. So many sad situations because people Venture off Alone. May God bless this family in this time of need.


Submitted by Lynn and Joyce Cody on October 2, 2018 - 10:03pm.

So sorry prayers for the family


Submitted by Jenya on October 2, 2018 - 11:23pm.

Prayers and God's blessings for the family.


Submitted by Steve dyment on October 3, 2018 - 1:04am.

With so much media coverage and internet coverage such as missing 411,people inexplicably disappearing in national parks,i cannot fathom why people would split up and go off ALONE ,especially in a national park.I pray for this lady that she is in Christ and also that her surviving family that they can find peace.


Submitted by Foresrdiva on October 3, 2018 - 6:30am.

Hikers often separate because we walk at different a pace.  It's not unusal to separate for a period of time and meet up at a designated spot. I think this story is tragic and a reminder to be careful, but let's not say anything that sounds close to blame.  they didn't do anything most of us don't do. I don't know if they were experienced or not or if they were backpacking or not, but that area is VERY well travelled. Separation on the trail doesn't usually mean you are completely isolated. 


Submitted by Nancy Peterson on October 3, 2018 - 10:04am.

I agree. Shaming is not helpful


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