Missing man, 21, found dead in Great Smokey National Park

What is the cause of death under investigation?

What features characterize Big Creek area?

How long did the search for Ryan Lakes last?

Following a multi-day search, authorities found the body of a 21-year-old man in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, according to the National Park Service.

The discovery was made days after Ryan Lakes, who was last seen on Sept. 18, was reported missing by officials. 

Park rangers described Lakes as a 5-foot-5-inch man, last seen wearing dark-colored shorts, a dark-colored T-shirt, brown tennis shoes, and a black backpack, according to a NPS press releaseposted on Sept. 21.

Lakes’ body was discovered in the Big Creek area of the park at 2:45 p.m. local time on Monday, Sept. 22, according to Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. The service told the outlet that no foul play is suspected, and the cause of death is currently under investigation.

According to the National Park Service’s website, the Big Creek area is a dense forest in a “secluded area” of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is also located near the border of North Carolina and Tennessee and known for its “history, wildflowers, and numerous streams and waterfalls.”