MISSING UT STUDENT FOUND DEAD IN REMOTE AREA OF GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK

CHEROKEE, N.C. — The search for a missing college student ended tragically on Friday when authorities found 23-year-old Bryce Evans’ body in a remote area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina.

The University of Tennessee at Knoxville student was on his way to Charlotte to finish up a summer internship. That’s the last time anyone saw him before he went missing. He had been missing since Sunday, July 31, according to a social media post by his sister Analiese Evans.

His car, a 2017 gray Nissan Altima, was found parked at the Balsam Mountain Trailhead around 7:45 p.m. on Thursday. Officials closed the road and searched the immediate area with emergency responders from the Cherokee Police and Fire Departments. However, it got dark and the search had to be suspended until the next day.

On Friday, authorities began a comprehensive search of the area.

“The last thing they heard was that he was going to the gym, and then drive back up there,” said Sandra Haynes, a family friend. “All things just normal on a Sunday afternoon.”

Evans was staying at his Knoxville apartment for the weekend and was planning to be back at his job at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte on Monday, his family said.

He was not known to lose touch with his family.

Anyone with information about what may have happened to Evans is encouraged to contact the Cherokee Police Department at 828-359-6600 or the Knoxville Police Department at 865-215-7450.