Search Called Off For Missing Elderly Hikers
The Bryant’s, have been missing for almost 3 weeks but only reported missing a few days a go. They were avid hikers and it appears they were hiking in Pisgah National Forest when they went missing. Jon Bryant is 79 years old and his wife of over 50 years Irene is 84 years old have not been seen or heard from since the 21st of October. A dropped cell call to 911 from their cell phone is the last contact that anyone is aware of.
Searches from multiple states were here for a weekend training exercise joined the search in the rugged mountains. A yet to be identified body was discovered in the same area where the Bryant’s car was parked. Although foul play is not suspected in the death the FBI is leading the investigation because it was discovered on Federal Property. The body has been sent to the North Carolina State Medical Examiners Office for identification and cause of death.
Searchers have suspended search efforts and the family of the Bryant’s have thanked them for there efforts.
We certainly hope for a happy outcome but reading between the lines it sounds like it will not be one. We’ll continue to follow the story as it unfolds.
[...] almost 3 weeks ago while hiking in Pisgah National Forest and just reported missing last week. The search has been suspended but not before an unidentified body was found in the woods near the missing couple’s parked car. [...]
Pingback by Moose Droppings » Update On Missing North Carolina Hikers — November 13, 2007 @ 4:52 pm
[...] a murder investigation. As I reported earlier on the day the Bryant’s went missing there was a brief 911 call from their cell phone that was dropped. The next day, October 22, the Bryant’s ATM card was used [...]
Pingback by Moose Droppings » Sad News Out of The Mountains of North Carolina — November 14, 2007 @ 1:56 am
[...] The Bryant’s have been missing for weeks in the Pisgah National Forest until Irene’s bludgeoned body was found just yards from their parked SUV. John Bryant hasn’t been heard from nor any clues on where he maybe. Law Enforcement is working on the theory that whoever murdered Irene took John against his will to withdraw money from his accounts. His account was accessed from an ATM just over the border in Tennessee but an unidentified individual wearing one of the Bryant’s rain coats. [...]
Pingback by Moose Droppings » Their Love for the Outdoors Appears to Have Put Them in Harms Way — November 19, 2007 @ 12:19 am
[...] around the “Cradle of the Forestry” in Pisgah National Forest for any signs of John Bryant. John & his wife Irene went missing in Pisgah National Forest while hiking back on the 21st of October. It was some time (about 3 weeks) before officials even [...]
Pingback by Moose Droppings » Efforts Continue to Find John Bryant Missing Hiker in Pisgah National Forest — December 13, 2007 @ 12:34 am
[...] while hiking in Pisgah National Forest last fall. The Bryant’s had gone on a fall hike and were initially reported as missing but as time went on their disappearance became more suspicious. A month after they went missing the [...]
Pingback by Moose Droppings » John Bryant Autopsy Report Released / Story Update — May 26, 2008 @ 11:39 am