The body of a hiker found deceased by Great Smoky M0untain National Park Rangers has been identified as Richard Lemarr, age 50 from Knoxville. Lemarr’s body was found Wednesday afternoon, January 16 at the Tricorner Knob Shelter along the Appalachian Trail and.

Lemarr had left Newfound Gap Saturday morning with the intention of hiking 30 miles along the Appalachian Trail to Davenport Gap in North Carolina. After failing to show up on Monday afternoon a friend reported Lemarr missing and a search of trails in the area was initiated by park rangers.

The incident is under investigation by park officials and the Swain County Medical Examiners Office, however the cause of death does not appear to be of a suspicious nature. The body was evacuated Friday by the Tennessee Highway Patrol using  their hoist helicopter. The shelter was closed to the public and Rangers remained at the shelter until the evacuation was conducted.