A search involving dozens of park rangers and volunteers has expanded for an Illinois man who has been missing for more than a week in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Marcin Bachleda-Blaszczak was reported missing on the evening of Aug. 24, according to the National Park Service. His vehicle was later found in the parking lot at the Sugarlands Visitor Center near Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
Based on the investigation so far, park officials said Bachleda-Blaszczak's last known location was the visitor center parking lot on Aug. 22.
A family-organized fundraiser identifies Bachleda-Blaszczak as being from Lockport. The National Park Service has publicly identified him only as an Illinois resident.
As of Monday morning, the GoFundMe has raised over $6,000 of a $16,000
As of Sunday, 57 park rangers and volunteers were actively searching areas in and around the national park, up from 47 a day earlier.
As the search area expands, park visitors may see personnel in brightly colored shirts working both on established trails and in areas off-trail.
Search crews may also use drones as part of the operation. While recreational drone use is prohibited within Great Smoky Mountains National Park, park officials said drones are being temporarily deployed as part of the emergency response.
Bachleda-Blaszczak is described as 5 feet, 6 inches tall and about 170 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes.
Bachleda-Blaszczak's family is also asking people who were around the Sugarlands Visitor Center on Aug. 22 to review photos or videos they may have taken.
According to the family's fundraiser, Bachleda-Blaszczak arrived at Sugarlands in a black 2026 Honda Civic Sport Hybrid.
The family is particularly asking anyone who was near the visitor center at or after 4 p.m. Aug. 22, to check cellphone photos, camera footage, GoPro video, dashcams or other recordings that could potentially show Bachleda-Blaszczak, his vehicle or something else relevant to establishing where he went after arriving.
CBS Chicago reported that family members said Bachleda-Blaszczak's wallet, backpack, extra shoes and cash were found inside his vehicle. A cousin told the station that family members had spoken with him shortly before he disappeared and did not notice anything unusual.
Anyone who has information about Bachleda-Blaszczak's whereabouts or believes they saw him in or around Great Smoky Mountains National Park is asked to contact park dispatch at .
Park officials have not announced finding Bachleda-Blaszczak or disclosed evidence establishing where he went after his last known appearance at Sugarlands.
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