Search Continues For Missing Hiker In Haywood County

Officials said Julie Ann Hays was found with some injures around 5:45 p.m.in the Lenoir Creek area of Cold Mountain, about 100 meters off the trial.

Searches were conducted in the Cold Mountain, Big East Fork, Shining Creek, Old Butt, Investor Gap, Camp Daniel Boone, Sorrell Creek and Grassy Cove.

Other details about what happened to Hays were unavailable, but Warren said more information would be available Tuesday morning. “It was the best feeling”.

A note was found in her vehicle, stating that she had begun her hike at 10 a.m. Police chief Mark Sirois explained it hits close to home because his department works closely with the Washington County District Attorney’s Office, where Hays is an assistant district attorney. But no one is giving up, as the search continues. On Saturday evening, her husband called authorities when she hadn’t returned.

She’s wearing a blue short sleeve shirt, blue jeans, and hiking boots.

Both Craig Hays and searchers are anxious Julie Ann Hays was dressed and prepared only for a day trip, wearing a short sleeve shirt, and having packed only a light lunch.

Search and rescue personnel mobilized just after midnight Sunday.

She is approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighs 150 pounds with an average build, has green eyes, long blond hair, a fair complexion and is wearing contact lenses.

If you know anything call the Haywood County Communications Center at 828-452-6666.

Emergency personnel are continuing to search the area, along with search-and-rescue K-9 teams and – weather permitting – search aircraft.

Keep checking with the Johnson City Press as details develop.