GBI identifies hiker found dead along Appalachian Trail

BLUE RIDGE, Ga. — A man found dead along the Appalachian Trail in Fannin County was from Pennsylvania.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation identified the man as Stephen Lucan Ryan, 41.

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The GBI asked for the public’s help to determine who he was after his body was found on Springer Mountain off the Benton MacKaye Trail on Jan. 21.

Investigators released a forensic artist’s sketch of the man and images of his boots, clothing, and equipment.

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Unidentified hiker The GBI is requesting assistance from the public in identifying a deceased man believed to be a hiker on Springer Mountain found on January 21, 2022.

Ryan’s clothing was still with him: a small gray t-shirt, a gray fleece long sleeve shirt and tan Wrangler brand cargo pants size 30x32.

He also had several jackets with him including a Thermal-FR brand fleece quarter zip pullover and dark gray Champion brand quarter zip fleece.

Investigators also found several items with the man’s body including his size 10.5 Keen brand hiking boots, a black Uline skull cap with rechargeable light attachment and a small black folding shovel.

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The GBI did not reveal a cause of death.

The GBI says the identification was possible because of the work of the FBI, GBI Crime Lab, and the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System.

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