Sahil Jilani, a 24-year-old Houston resident, was found dead in the waters at Abrams Falls in Tennessee’s Great Smoky Mountains, according to the licensed source. His family said he went missing on Oct. 5 and was located after a search that lasted several days.
Jilani’s relatives said they became concerned when he did not check in and his shared location stopped updating. His sister, Asma Jilani Bustamante, organized an online fundraiser announcing his death and their mother’s hospitalization.
The family believes Jilani drowned after being caught in powerful currents near the waterfall. They described the risks posed by recirculating water at the base of waterfalls. However, the source reports that officials have not announced an official cause of death, so the family’s explanation remains unconfirmed.
The source says Jilani’s car was found in a parking lot after he had been missing for 72 hours. His phone, keys and clothes were later recovered near the falls, and dive teams retrieved his body the following day.
The National Park Service warns visitors that swimming and tubing are not recommended in the park and advises against climbing to the top of waterfalls because the rocks can be slippery. The source says Fox News Digital had requested comment from the agency.
