News Release
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News Release Date: August 30, 2026
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Great Smoky Mountains National Park
GATLINBURG, Tenn. — Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with assistance from local agencies, continues to search for Marcin Bachleda-Blaszczak, who was reported missing on the evening of Aug. 24.
Bachleda-Blaszczak is described as 5 feet, 6 inches tall and approximately 170 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. He is from Illinois.
Following the missing person report, Bachleda-Blaszczak’s vehicle was located in the Sugarlands Visitor Center parking lot. Based on the investigation to date, his last known location was the Sugarlands Visitor Center parking lot on Aug. 22.
A team of 57 park rangers and volunteers is actively searching areas in and around the park. As the search area expands, visitors may encounter search personnel wearing brightly colored shirts both on and off established trails. Search teams may also be operating drones. Please note that while drones are prohibited in the national park, they are being used temporarily as part of the emergency response.
Anyone with information about Bachleda-Blaszczak’s whereabouts, or who may have seen him in or around the park, is asked to contact GRSM_Dispatch@nps.gov.
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Last updated: August 30, 2026