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GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK, Tenn. (WVLT) – Rangers said foul play was not suspected in the death of a great hiker who's body was found in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on Tuesday, October 2. Crews discovered Susan Clements roughly two miles west of the Dome Clingmans parking area, according to a release .
Fifty-three-year-old mother from Ohio 3/4 mile from the Appalachian Trail.
Park officials announced the cause of death is under investigation, however, it is not suspected at this time.
"Our hearts are with the family and friends of Ms. Clements," the park said in a release. "The Park would like to extend its appreciation to the many agencies and organizations that participated in the search effort."
Clement's ex-husband and father of children, Tim Clements, said, "I want to specifically thank the National Park Service for their incredible efforts. The cooperation shown between more than 50 agencies was amazing, comforting, and very supportive. Every piece of the operation, including the scientific fronts, logistical parts, and the
emotional support provided to us was very impressive. The children, her sisters, and I want to especially thank Jared St. Clair (Chief Ranger), Joe Pond (Incident Commander), James Latendresse (Operations Chief), and Florie Takaki (Family Liaison) for their dedication and support. We also want to thank the other people who helped us look for Susan. This includes the ground searchers, pilots, drone operators, dog trackers, technicians, EMS providers, the many teams of tactical climbers and rescuers, and the Tennessee Emergency
Management Agency. The kids, her sisters, and I greatly appreciate the intense work they performed for us, and we will be eternally grateful. "
Clements, who had been hiking with her daughter on the Forney Ridge Trail, near Andrews Bald, when the two separated.
Park officials said the two purposefully divided with a plan to meet the Clingmans Dome parking lot. According to rangers, the daughter was moving ahead and moving faster, which is why the two decided to separate.
In the days following her disappearance, trained staff from Tennessee, North Carolina, and Virginia helped park staff in the large-scale search effort.
Around 125 trained searchers and logistical support personnel from more than 30 state and local agencies
Specialized search and rescue drones, operated by FAA-licensed pilots were used in some areas to help search for Clements.
By closing the seven-mile Clingmans Dome Road on Thursday night, the park turned Clingmans Dome parking area into a field "incident command post" from which to manage the complex search. Such facilities may also be used for the purpose of search and rescue, as well as for the provision of information.
Rangers even brought in a mobile cell tower from Verizon Wireless to provide wireless service to assist in search efforts.
The SPOT (Satellite Pico Cell on a Trailer) featured a 30-foot antenna mast with the satellite dish on the top of the trailer, which included a portable mini-satellite dish to provide additional wireless service for first responders be spotty.
Park officials were alerted that Clements was missing on Tuesday, September 25, and
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