News Release

ISB Special Agents and US Park Rangers are investigating an assault that occurred along the Blue Ridge Parkway

NPS photo of clouds and sunbeams above the Blue Ridge Parkway by J Ruff.
ISB Special Agents and US Park Rangers of the Blue Ridge Parkway are actively investigating a possible assault that occurred in the area of Craggy Gardens on Thursday afternoon, May 12.

NPS photo of Blue Ridge Parkway by J Ruff.

News Release Date: May 13, 2016

Contact: NPS Investigative Services Branch, Tip Line 888-653-0009

Investigation: Assault along the Blue Ridge Parkway

ISB Special Agents and US Park Rangers of the Blue Ridge Parkway are actively investigating a possible assault that occurred in the area of Craggy Gardens on Thursday afternoon, May 12.

Rangers and other emergency responders conducted a brief search for a hiker that was reportedly missing. She was found and taken to a local hospital for care.

Investigators do not have reason to believe this incident was anything other than an isolated event, and no suspect information is available at this time. All visitor facilities in the area remain open.

A person of interest in this case is a white male about 50 years old with salt-and-pepper hair, and he may have partially-grown facial hair. The man was possibly wearing a light-colored or faded gray short-sleeve T-shirt, baggy blue pants that appear old and faded, and dark tennis shoes. He may appear generally unkempt and smell of a musty odor of going unwashed.

If you have any information about the incident, or if you may have noticed someone behaving suspiciously around Craggy Gardens or along the Mountains to Sea Trail between noon and 4:00 p.m. yesterday, please contact us.

You don't have to tell us who you are, but please tell us what you know:

ISB: the Investigative Services Branch of the National Park Service
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Last updated: May 24, 2016