08/31/2026
UPDATE 9/1/26: After a multi-day search, Marcin Bachleda-Blaszczak was confirmed safe in North Carolina outside of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Read more here: https://www.nps.gov/grsm/learn/news/marcin-bachleda-blaszczak-confirmed-safe-outside-of-great-smoky-mountains-national-park.htm
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Great Smoky Mountains National Park has expanded the 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, with additional resources assisting. 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 [email protected].
NPS Poster
08/31/2026
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07/04/2026