Missing Great Smoky Mountains National Park Volunteer, 73, Found Dead After Disappearing During Hike

A Great Smoky Mountains National Park volunteer who was reported missing was found dead on Sunday, Feb. 2, the National Park Service (NPS) said in a news release.

Ann Houghton, 73, was supposed to depart for a hike around the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina between Tuesday, Jan. 28 and Wednesday, Jan. 29. Her vehicle was found at the Smokemont Campground, and she was reported missing to the park on Saturday, Feb. 1.

Local law enforcement and search and rescue staff began a search for Houghton the day she was reported missing. They searched for her in the Smokemont area, specifically around the Bradley Fork, Chasteen Creek, Hughes Ridge and Enloe Creek trails, per the NPS.

Houghton’s body was discovered around a quarter mile off the Enloe Creek Trail just before 2 p.m. on Sunday.

Houghton was a resident of Jackson County, N.C. She volunteered for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for over two decades and worked over 4,000 hours as NPS front-line representative.

In 2022, she was nominated by the park for the NPS George and Helen Hartzog Awards for Outstanding Volunteer Service. 

“Ann quietly draws from first-hand, boots-on-ground experience in interaction with curious visitors and new members of staff,” the announcement of her nomination read. “She has a gift for sharing vital information with children and adults, while giving them space to consider concepts and continue self-guided exploration, but often through a more wide-view, responsible lens.”

Houghton served as a Trail Maintainer, Cemetery Assistant, Native Plants Gardener, Demonstrator for Special Events, Parkwide Litter Patrol Volunteer and Leave No Trace Ambassador. Most of her time was spent working in visitor services and resource stewardship at North Carolina’s Oconaluftee Visitor Center and surrounding Mountain Farm.

“Ann was an enduring and beloved member of our Smokies Community. She was a dedicated volunteer and avid hiker who shared her passion for the park with many visitors,” Charles Sellars, acting superintendent of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, said in a statement Sunday, “Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers condolences to her family and friends.” 

The NPS is investigating her death.

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A representative for the NPS did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for more information on Monday.