Body of Chad Seger, Missing Marine, found

Haywood County Emergency Managemet Officials reported that the body of 27-year-old Chad Seger was found Tuesday afternoon in the Shining Rock Wilderness Area of the Pisgah National Forest.

Chad Seger of Asheville, NC was last known to have been in the Black Balsam area of Pisgah National Forest on Monday, October 12, Haywood County Sheriff’s office said in a facebook post, adding:

At approximately 3 p.m. 21 Oct, Tuesday afternoon search teams located the body of missing hiker Chad Seger. He was found in an off-trail area near the Art Loeb trail in the Shining Rock Wilderness Area. Searchers also found the gear he was believed to have with him nearby.

It is too early at this time to make a determination as to cause of death. The family has asked for privacy at this difficult time.

The family would also like to thank all of the volunteers, searchers, first responders, organizations, and veterans who dedicated their time and resources to help bring Chad home. Seger had been missing since Monday, when he spoke briefly with a family member by telephone.

Later that same evening an incomplete 911 call came into Haywood County Dispatch. It apparently could not be completed due to weak signal strength.Over 400 individual searchers and support staff representing multiple agencies from five states were involved in the efforts to bring closure to the Seger famil

Officials had previously said Seger was from Asheville, was familiar with the area and was in good physical health. Family members said he was a Marine veteran who hiked often in the area, the Asheville Citizen Times reported, ABC11 reported

Friends got involved, offering any help. “We consider each other family and when stuff like this kind of happens like a brother or sister in arms goes missing or is hurting or something, as a veteran community, we should obviously come together and help them through whatever is going on,” friend Charles Jungnick said, wsoc reported.

The Family reached out for help from anyone who had any information.