Sahil Jilani, 24, was recovered from Abrams Falls after his disappearance prompted a dayslong search in the Tennessee national park.
TOWNSEND, Tenn. — A 24-year-old Texas man who disappeared during a trip to Great Smoky Mountains National Park was found dead in the water at Abrams Falls after a dayslong search, according to his family, which believes he drowned in powerful currents near the waterfall.
Sahil Jilani of Houston was last seen about 8 p.m. Oct. 5 at Riverstone Campground in Townsend, according to information released during the search. His vehicle was found two days later at the Abrams Falls trailhead in the Cades Cove area, helping focus search efforts on one of the park’s most popular waterfall destinations. His family said dive teams recovered his body from the water Oct. 8. As of Monday, the National Park Service had not publicly released a final report confirming the circumstances of his death.
Jilani’s disappearance alarmed relatives after they stopped hearing from him and his phone could no longer be tracked. His sister, Asma Jilani Bustamante, said the family contacted park officials after his failure to check in became unusual. During the search, authorities appealed to the public for information from anyone who might have seen him. His phone, keys and clothing were later found near Abrams Falls, according to his family.
Family members said they believe Jilani drowned after becoming caught in strong currents around the waterfall. That conclusion remained the family’s account while official reports were pending. No final determination about the exact cause or manner of his death had been publicly released. The family said what happened unfolded quickly despite other people being in the area.
Abrams Falls is a 25-foot waterfall reached by a roughly 5-mile round-trip hike from the trailhead in Cades Cove. Although the falls are not especially tall, the National Park Service warns that the volume of water creates dangerous conditions in the deep pool below. The agency strongly discourages swimming there because of an undertow and other hazards.
The park’s broader safety guidance says drownings are among the leading causes of fatal injuries in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Officials warn that seemingly calm water can hide unexpected undertows and that higher water levels can increase current speed. Cell service also is extremely limited in parts of the park, which can complicate communication when visitors are in remote areas.
Jilani’s family remembered him as devoted to his relatives and hopeful about his future. Bustamante said her brother wanted to help their mother retire, assist their father and spend time with his young niece after recently becoming an uncle. She also described fitness and martial arts as important interests in his life. The family said his mother was hospitalized after learning of her son’s death.
Relatives have also said they want Jilani’s death to bring greater attention to hazards around waterfalls and fast-moving natural waters. Their statements emphasized the danger of strong currents even for people who are confident swimmers. The family’s account is consistent with longstanding National Park Service warnings about the pool beneath Abrams Falls, though officials had not publicly attributed Jilani’s death to a specific water condition as of the latest reports.
The National Park Service had initially described Jilani as a missing 24-year-old Texas man and asked visitors who may have encountered him to provide information. News of his recovery was later announced publicly by his family. The agency had not issued a detailed public account of the recovery or an official finding on the cause of death when the latest reports were published.
The family’s confirmation ended the search for Jilani but left official findings about his death pending. Authorities had not publicly released additional investigative details as of Tuesday, while his relatives prepared to return him to Texas and mourned a trip to the Smoky Mountains that ended in tragedy.
Author note: Last updated October 13, 2026.