Sketch released in rape case in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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From the Girls Gone Outdoors blog by Karen Chavez of the Asheville Citizen-Times:

Let’s hope another vicious rape in the forest doesn’t go unsolved.

Last Friday, June 8, at 2:43 pm, a 44 year-old female was raped on the Gatlinburg Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The victim received multiple stab wounds to the neck, shoulder and hand. She made her way to the Gatlinburg Bypass where she flagged down a passing motorist for assistance. The victim was taken by helicopter to the University of Tennessee Medical Center where she was treated for her injuries. According to the Smokies public relations office, the victim was released from the hospital last night.

National Park Service Special Agents continued to investigate the case over the weekend and have worked with the victim and a forensic artist to create the sketch of the suspect, seen here.
Smokies rape suspect sketch
The suspect is described as a white male of thin build, in his 40s, 5-feet-9 inches–5-feet-10 inches tall, dirty-blonde hair, with a crew cut and thin mustache.

He was wearing glasses, black dress pants and a gray T-shirt at the time of the attack. He has multiple tattoos, including on his shoulders and an unknown word across his abdomen.

A reward in the amount of $5,000 has been established for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect.

If you have seen this person or have any information about the crime , call the special tip line at 865-436-1580.

Image link for sketch.