A search for a missing hiker in Rhea County came to a tragic end yesterday afternoon. After 11 days of looking in the Pocket Wilderness, crews located the body of Curtis Dustin Williams near the Morgan Springs area.

Williams, an experienced hiker from North Carolina, went hiking with a dog May 10. The canine was found three days later.

Yesterday, rope and rescue teams assisted in making the recovery of Williams’ body because of the extreme terrain where he was located.

Williams was known as a skilled hiker by those who knew him.

The exact cause of death was not initially released.