Texas hiker found dead after going missing in Great Smoky Mountains, family says

Sohail Jilani's phone, keys and clothes were found near Abrams Falls before dive teams found his body in Tennessee's Great Smoky Mountains.

The body of a Texas hiker has been found three days after he went missing in Tennessee's Great Smoky Mountains after his family believed he drowned after being caught in powerful hydraulic currents near a waterfall.

Sahil Jilani, a 24-year-old Houston resident, died after disappearing on Oct. 5 — the same day she left her mother with an "overwhelming feeling that something was terribly wrong." His family announced the tragedy through an online fundraiser.

The fundraiser stated: "It is with heavy hearts and deep sorrow that we share the sudden and heartbreaking loss of our beloved brother Sahil Jilani and the hospitalization of our mother after learning of the loss of her precious child, our little angel and our most beautiful gift."

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When Jilani failed to come home for several hours and his location sharing stopped in an area without cell phone service, loved ones became concerned.

"We were advised to be patient as hikers and campers often lose connection in areas without network coverage," wrote Asma Jilani Bustamante, Jilani's sister who organized the fundraiser. But as the hours passed, our fear grew and we continued to call for help. Sahil knew how much his silence and available place worried us.

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After 72 hours of his disappearance, Jilani's car was discovered in a parking lot, where his phone, keys and clothes were later found near the waterfall. The next day, dive teams recovered his body from Abrams Falls.

Family members believe Jilani drowned after getting stuck in a strong current.

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"The falls are stunningly beautiful and many visitors naturally want to stand under them and feel the pressure of the falling water," the family said. What many don't realize is that Abrams Falls drops approximately 25 feet into a deep pool where hydraulic currents can pull a person underwater and trap them in the swirling water, making escape extremely difficult even for experienced swimmers.

The official cause of death has not yet been announced.

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Jilani had recently become an uncle and was "more than excited to spoil his little niece with gifts, teach her mixed martial arts and self-defense, and share his passion for fitness," Bustamante said.

National Park Service (NPS) officials warn that the Smoky Mountains have narrow roads, blind turns and steep drop-offs. Additionally, the park does not have any lifeguard swimming areas.

"Swimming and tubing are not recommended," the NPS stated. "Also, never try to climb it. Above a waterfall, the rocks are covered in slippery algae, and several climbers have fallen and been seriously injured or killed.

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