GSMNP Suspends Search For Missing Man

After an extensive 11-day search, Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials announced over the weekend that they will suspend the active field search for Gordon Kaye, a man who was last seen in the park on April 23. Incident Commander James Latendresse said in a press release that this is not the outcome searchers wanted but they gave their best efforts and completed very thorough ground searches. he went on to say that the size and scale of the search were only possible with the help of their partners and the dedicated volunteers who gave their time and expertise to look for Mr. Kaye.

Operations will now switch from an active search to a limited, but continuous search, which may include backcountry patrols, air searches when practical, and outreach to hikers heading into the area. Additionally, a missing person investigation is ongoing and the Nattional Park Service will continue to follow up on any new information.

Gordon Kaye of Tampa Florida is an avid hunter and hiker and was last seen on April 23 near a backcountry campsite in the Deep Creek area. His family reported him missing on April 26. The NPS started the missing person investigation the same day and launched a search focused on areas near where Kaye was last seen. Ultimately, more than 300 people from 57 agencies and four states searched the ground on foot, on horseback, and with canine teams looking for Kaye and clues to his location. Park rangers also used a drone in areas where vegetation cover allowed.