Teams continue search for missing teen in Smokies

Austin Bohanan

Searchers continue looking for missing teen Austin Bohanan in a remote section of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. On Sunday, Aug. 20, searchers were working in three teams comprised of 24 trained individuals from the National Park Service, Backcountry Unit Search and Rescue (BUSAR), Blount County Sheriff’s Office, and Blount Special Operations Response Team (BSORT).

The teams continue to slowly search through areas of dense vegetation along the steep slopes found within the 6,700-acre search. Partner agencies have been providing additional support by transporting crews up navigable rivers to get crews into the backcountry more efficiently.

Search and Rescue team members are transported by
boat to get to hard-to-reach areas to continue the search
for Austin Bohanan in dense vegetation. (Photo courtesy
Great Smoky Mountains National Park)

Bohanan, 18, was reportedly last seen hiking off-trail with his stepfather in the remote southwest corner of the park on the evening of Friday, Aug. 11. He was reported missing at about 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 13, to the park’s Emergency Communication Center.

They are searching in the remote southwest corner of the park near Chilhowee Lake.

Bohanan is a white male between 5’2”-5’5” feet tall, weighs between 120-150 pounds and has brown hair and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing blue jeans, unknown color t-shirt, and blue Nike baseball cap.

If anyone has seen Bohanan since Friday evening please call the park at (865) 436-1230.