Thelma Pauline Polly Melton, 58, vanished from the Deep Creek Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the afternoon of September 25, 1981. She was hiking with two friends, who saw her quicken her pace and disappear over a small rise; they assumed she had gone back to the campground. By 6:00 p.m. a park ranger had been notified and an extensive search followed: more than 150 people, nine search dogs and a temporary closure of the trail. Trackers followed a cracked-soled shoe print for a while and dogs picked up scent on a fallen tree, but the trail was lost among heavy foot traffic and no decisive lead emerged.

Thelma had left without money, identification or her required medications; her husband later noticed his Valium prescription was missing. She had been grieving her mother’s recent death and had shown some unusual behavior in the days before she disappeared. Thelma’s whereabouts remain unknown.

If anyone hiked Deep Creek on September 25, 1981, or has information about Thelma’s last movements, please come forward.