Woman tied to tree on Parkway; suspect details released
National Park Service Rangers have released a possible suspect description in connection with an investigation of a woman found tied to a tree near Craggy Gardens, but have said little about what they have labeled a likely isolated incident, even as they have asked the public for information on suspicious activity.
"What we released is what the public needs to know," Leesa Brandon, a public information officer with the Blue Ridge Parkway said Saturday morning, when asked if visitors to the area should exercise caution.
Late Friday, Brandon released a statement describing a possible suspect in the incident as a generally unkempt white male, about 50 years old, with salt-and-pepper hair and facial hair that is partially grown in.He was believed to be wearing a light or faded grey short sleeve T-shirt, old or faded baggy blue pants and a dark pair of tennis shoes. The man may have smelled musty from going unwashed for several days, according to the release.
The investigation is being led by rangers with the National Park Service, though no information has been released by that agency regarding the nature of a possible assault. The area, located near milepost 367 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, is a popular destination, drawing families as well as casual and avid hikers.
The incident began early Thursday afternoon, when the Reems Creek Fire Department responded to a call for a lost person who was possibly having a medical issue, according to a captain with that Weaverville-based agency.
A woman called dispatchers at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, saying she was getting texts from her friend, who was hiking in the area of Snowball Trail at Craggy Gardens.
The 911 caller identified herself as a caregiver for the 64-year-old woman. The caller said she had gotten texts from her friend about changing hiking plans, but then she received messages that the woman was having an emergency.
The caller was unsure of the nature of the emergency, but did say the woman has a medical condition.
“She has something that looks like seizures, and when she does, she is conscious long enough sometimes to send a text but generally it renders her somewhat mute,” the caller said in a 911 recording.
When crews arrived, they discovered the woman tied to tree. Officials have declined to discuss details of those circumstances.
The woman was transported to Mission Hospital, and is alive. Any injuries sustained in a potential assault or medical condition that led to the incident has not been released.
The area where the woman was found is accessible by motorists via the Blue Ridge Parkway and by hikers along the popular Mountains to Sea Trail.
Rangers are asking anyone who might have seen suspicious activity in that area from noon to 4 p.m. Thursday to call an investigative tip line at 888-653-0009.
Officials do not have reason to believe the incident was anything other than isolated and all visitor facilities in the area remain open, according to a statement from the National Park Service.