A 24-year-old man from Houston, Texas, was found dead in Tennessee’s Great Smoky Mountains National Park after going missing during a hiking trip, with his family believing he drowned after being caught in powerful currents near a waterfall.Sahil Jilani was last seen on October 5 at Riverstone Campground in Townsend, Tennessee, according to the National Park Service. His family grew concerned after he stopped checking in and his location-sharing service became unavailable in an area with poor cellphone coverage.Authorities found his car at the Abrams Falls trailhead on October 7. His phone, keys and clothes were recovered near the waterfall. Dive teams recovered his body from the water on October 8, according to his family.Jilani’s family believes he drowned after becoming trapped in powerful underwater currents in the plunge pool beneath Abrams Falls. The waterfall drops approximately 25 feet into a deep pool, where recirculating currents can make it extremely difficult for a person to escape.His sister, Asma Jilani Bustamante, said the family had sought help after their mother developed an overwhelming feeling that something was wrong. Jilani’s silence was unusual, she said, prompting the family to continue seeking assistance.The family has said the official cause of death has not yet been disclosed. The National Park Service had not publicly confirmed the circumstances of his death in its latest reported response.Mother hospitalized after learning son’s deathBustamante also shared the devastating impact of the loss on their family, including their mother’s hospitalisation after learning of her son’s death.Jilani had recently become an uncle and had hoped to help his mother retire, take over financial responsibilities and assist his father with dental procedures. His sister described him as a caring person who had made plans to support his family.The family is now urging visitors to take waterfall safety warnings seriously, cautioning that even experienced swimmers can be caught in powerful currents. They have also highlighted the importance of sharing travel plans and preparing for areas without cellphone coverage.The Great Smoky Mountains National Park spans parts of Tennessee and North Carolina. Park officials warn visitors against swimming near waterfalls and climbing to their summits, where slippery rocks and strong currents can pose serious risks.
