Authorities: Woman tied to tree in Asheville park was sexually assaulted
A woman found tied to a tree off a trail along the Blue Ridge Parkway in Asheville last month was sexually assaulted, according to authorities.
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The 64-year-old woman was found on May 12 near Craggy Gardens. Investigators with the National Park Service said the incident occurred on a trail adjacent to Potato Field Gap.
The woman was found about an hour after a caregiver called 911.
Police described the suspect as a white man who is about 50-years-old with salt and pepper hair. He may have partially grown facial hair and possibly smelled of a musty odor as though he hadn’t washed recently, authorities said.
Authorities said they have received more than 100 leads in the case.
The National Park Service said the May assault is the only assault on a visitor of the 469-mile park in the past five years.
“While there have been no other recent reports of similar assaults by persons matching our suspect in the area, we continue to encourage the public to exercise safety measures when visiting the Parkway,” park officials said in a press release.
Anybody with information is asked to call 1-888-653-0009.
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