No Foul Play In Cleves Hiker's Death; Family Issues Statement

Mitzie "Susan" Clements' family thanks searchers who helped to locate her body.

Mitzie "Susan" Clements death in the Great Smoky Mountains Nation Park is not considered suspicious by authorities.

(Cleves, Oh.) - Foul play is being ruled out in the death of a Cleves woman who went missing in the Great Smoky Mountains.

National Park Service rangers can't say yet how 53-year-old Mitzie “Susan” Clements died, but they don't suspect anything suspicious.

Clements' body was found Tuesday in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park after she became separated from her daughter while hiking on September 25. 

Searchers made the discovery off-trail, in a rugged, heavily wooded area of the Huggins Creek drainage, approximately two miles from Clingmans Dome parking area and three-fourths mile south of the Appalachian Trail.

Clements’ family has released a statement thanking those who helped in the search:

“I want to specifically thank the National Park Service for their incredible efforts. The cooperation shown between more than 50 agencies was amazing, comforting, and very supportive. Every piece of the operation, including the scientific fronts, logistical parts, and the emotional support provided to us was very impressive. The children, her sisters, and I want to especially thank Jared St. Clair (Chief Ranger), Joe Pond (Incident Commander), James Latendresse (Operations Chief), and Florie Takaki (Family Liaison) for their dedication and support.  We also want to thank the countless other people who helped look for Susan. This includes the ground searchers, pilots, drone operators, dog trackers, technicians, EMS providers, the many teams of tactical climbers and rescuers, and the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency. The kids, her sisters, and I greatly appreciate the intense work they performed for us, and we will be eternally grateful.”

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the Clements family cover funeral expenses.

The family has also started a GoFundMe account to help cover Clements' funeral. Initially started with a $1,000 goal, fundraising has eclipsed $10,000 as of Thursday.

“Our deepest condolences go out to the family, friends, and co-workers of Susan during this difficult time,” said Great Smoky Mountains National Park Superintendent Cassius Cash. “We are grieving with the family and hope that yesterday’s recovery helps provide some closure as they begin their own grieving process.”

He added, “I am inspired by, and extremely grateful for, the tireless work of our park staff, as well as the generous assistance provided by dozens of agencies and well-trained search and rescue organizations.”

The Clingman's Dome area of the park had been closed during the search. It is expected to reopen to the public Thursday.

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