Great Smoky Mountains National Park rangers responded to a report of a body in Little River approximately 1-mile west of Metcalf Bottoms at approximately 1:30 p.m. on Monday, May 9. Rangers, along with Gatlinburg EMS/Fire discovered the body of Charles Queen, age 72 of Bybee, Tenn., partially submerged in the middle of the river. A technical swiftwater rescue team recovered the body, which was released to the Sevier County Medical Examiner’s office. A vehicle, registered to the deceased, was located in a pull out approximately 600 feet upriver along a steep embankment.
No witnesses have been identified to the events leading up to the discovery and there were no obvious signs of foul play. An autopsy will be performed to assist in determining the time and cause of death.
- National Park Service release
