Austin, an 18-year-old teenager, had purposefully gone into the woods with his stepfather. That wasn’t their first vacation like this, and neither of them could have predicted the scenario Austin would find himself in a week later.
How Was This Boy Found After 11 Days?
A Precarious Situation
From the start, there were some questionable facts in the case, and Park Chief Ranger Steve Kloster got a horrible feeling in his bones. He’d been in searches before and could sense when someone wasn’t telling the truth. He was aware that they were running out of time in this case.
A Precarious Situation
A Missing Kid
A kid had been missing in his park area for 11 days, and his survival prospects were dwindling by the hour. Nonetheless, the park ranger scanned the map to figure out where the kid may be. Was the boy’s disappearance the fault of his stepfather? If not, why had he withheld important facts until later?
A Missing Kid
Just a Regular Hike
An ordinary day in August found Austin and his stepfather Hubert hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains. They were not concerned because they had previously walked that route, and because it did not typically rain during this time of year.
Just A Regular Hike
Going Into The Woods
Austin and Hubert knew that events might change instantly, so they kept their guard up. Someone may become disoriented in the unending terrain of woods and bush, but they had each other and didn’t expect anything bad to happen.
Going Into The Woods
Seeking a Certain Plant
They walked a specific way along a creek since they were looking for something that day. That object was a plant worth roughly $600, so they were keen to get their hands on one. On the other hand, taking the plant out of the national park was against the law.
Seeking A Certain Plant
What It Is Used For
Hubert and Austin came to the realization that it would be beneficial to take the risk because there was an increasing interest in the potential of using the plant to produce a variety of beverages and supplements. This led them to the conclusion that it would be worthwhile to take the risk.
What It Is Used For
The Report of the Stepfather
Hubert lost his balance while standing on a damp rock near the creek, and as he tried to straighten up, he managed to knock his spectacles directly into the water below. This was not good news, and he yelled. Hubert needs his spectacles to see.
The Report Of The Step Father
Jumping Into The Water
He knew he couldn’t travel much deeper into the national park without his glasses, and traversing the terrain around the mountains was dangerous without them. Austin was aware of this, so when he noticed what was wrong, he jumped into the water to retrieve his stepfather’s spectacles!
Jumping Into The Water
Rushing Water
Austin got his footing in the water and started kicking about, looking for the glasses. Hubert gingerly got in to join him, and the two of them began softly wading through the water. On the other hand, Hubert shouldn’t have been in the water when he couldn’t see.
Rushing Water
Away From Each Other
He was so preoccupied with locating the glasses that he failed to notice that he was gradually getting further and further away from Austin. The more Hubert thought about what had happened, the more of a lump he got in his throat.
Away From Each Other
Nowhere to be Seen
Hubert claimed that he hadn’t even realized he couldn’t see or hear Austin since he was staring into the water for his spectacles. He didn’t worry when he realized the 18-year-old was nowhere to be found. They must have been separated.
Nowhere To Be Seen
Where’s Austin
Hubert attempted to return to where he had been, but his vision was impaired. He called out Austin but got no response. He told park officials about it a few days later, but Park Chief Ranger Steve Kloster didn’t believe he was getting the whole story from the older guy.
Where’s Austin
Why Did He Leave it So Late?
When Park Chief Ranger Steve Kloster received the call concerning Austin’s abduction, he was puzzled about why Hubert had waited two days to report the kid missing. Kloster suspected something weird had occurred in the national park that Hubert was not discussing.
Why Did He Leave It So Late
A Search Team
On the other hand, he put together a search party in order to find the child. If he could be found, he might have some insights to share. They walked on August 11, but there was no official report made until August 13 of anything happening.
A Search Team
Calling in Support
Chief Ranger led a team of more than 100 persons searching for Austin. He also arranged for canine teams from the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency to assist them, and helicopters were ordered to search the upper elevations and ground for any trace of the kid.
Calling In Support
Looking For Austin
Austin, on the other hand, seemed to vanish into thin air. Kloster became increasingly anxious, thinking Hubert Dyer Jr. was concealing information about the trek. Kloster waited for information while the search party worked in 90-degree weather. They still hadn’t discovered the kid.
Looking For Austin
Search Area Combed
Kloster returned to the map and the location where Hubert said Austin had vanished. Everyone, even the dogs, had searched the area, but there was no sign of the kid. He was worried that something horrible had happened to Austin but hoped he was mistaken. He chose to travel across the 6,700-acre region, but he realized time was running out.
Search Area Combed
Nothing Still
Even though it wasn’t frigid, the kid must have needed something to eat. Why weren’t they discovering anything? Why wasn’t there any proof of the boy? Kloster was skeptical because he wasn’t precisely specific when he asked Hubert to specify the spot.
Nothing Still
The Clue That Changed Everything
Austin had been gone for eleven days at this point. Chief Park Ranger Kloster contacted Hubert again and invited him to come and chat with him again. He knew time was important and wanted to learn everything before calling the hunt off. Kloster knew that the boy’s stepfather possessed knowledge he had not disclosed, and he sought to encourage him to provide it. Hubert revealed one piece of knowledge this time that altered everything.
The Clue That Changed Everything
The Plant was the Key
I hope it wasn’t too late. Hubert Dyer Jr. refused to disclose that he and Austin had gone in search of the sought ginseng plant since he knew taking them from the park was prohibited. He informed Kloster about the plant, and the park ranger eventually realized Hubert was speaking the truth.
The Plant Was The Key
Locating The Plant
Kloster was now in possession of the plant and contacted some park rangers in the hope that they would be able to point him in the direction of other plants within the park that were similar in appearance.
Locating The Plant
Keeping Hope Alive
Everyone was trying to be positive and not think the worst of Austin. He had outdoor expertise and was familiar with the routes of the Smoky Mountains, so perhaps he had found a means to live. The Chief Park Ranger was also upbeat.
Keeping Hope Alive
Gone Too Long
Now that he knew nothing untoward had occurred in the woods, he claimed that Austin’s age and the fact that freshwater could be obtained throughout the national park were on his side. Nonetheless, the fact that he had been gone for so long was cause for alarm.
Gone Too Long
A Long Manhunt
Hubert hadn’t seen Austin in 11 days while wading in the stream. They might have to assume that he was utterly lost in the woods. Chief Ranger Steve Kloster had previously conducted searches at the Tennessee National Park, but not for this long. He realized he couldn’t keep the hunt going for much longer, but he decided to give it one more go to find Austin.
A Long Manhunt
Austin’s Side of the Story
Austin was at the park and had managed to stay alive the entire time. He had no idea that a massive search was being conducted just for him. He was scraping by, recalling survival concepts he had picked up over the years. He knew he had to keep his cool throughout. When he discovered he was gone, he headed for higher land, figuring it would offer him the best chance of being found.
Austin’s Side Of The Story
Cellphone Let Down
That wasn’t the only reason he wanted to advance. He was looking for a signal on his telephone. He’d be out of there if he could only phone someone. He knew there wouldn’t likely be many masts in the national park, but it was worth a shot.
Cellphone Let Down
Staying Alive
When he was unable to reach high ground, it was like getting punched in the stomach. Austin had every intention of getting in touch with his mother because he missed listening to her voice. As a result, it was time to devise a different plan to keep him alive.
Staying Alive
Basic Needs
Austin needed fresh water as soon as possible. He knew he could survive without food but not without water. It meant he’d have to find the creek’s source. He cautiously traversed the crest, following the brook to the mountain’s base.
Basic Needs
Going In A Different Direction
He swallowed deeply now that he had been drinking water. But, the trek down had taken him some time, and he was now heading opposite from where he had begun. If people were looking, they might not think of this immediately.
Going In A Different Direction
Deep in the Wild
It was difficult to tell which direction he should go now. After a few days of walking, he was a little disoriented. He appeared to be further in the park and wasn’t sure which path was the least dangerous. He knew if he continued moving, he’d stay alive, and that was all going through his mind as he delved deeper into the mountain cover.
Deep In The Wild
Worried Sick
Austin would be tired at the end of each day and try to sleep, despite his fear of what might come out at night. He knew he needed to maintain his strength, but he wasn’t sure how he’d do it. He’d been scavenging for food without luck. His stomach had grumbled for a few days, but it had quieted down after a week. He must have activated some survival mode. He kept thinking about his mother and how concerned and scared she would be.
Worried Sick
Searching High and Low
Austin was a long way from where everyone was looking. He didn’t hear the helicopters overhead and wasn’t near the river, where boats were fishing for his body (which they would not locate). K9 dog units were scurrying into the woods, hoping to find him.
Searching High And Low
Finding Austin
They had no idea where Austin was, and he had no idea where they were. That is until he heard helicopter rotors overhead one day. He couldn’t see through the woods but was relieved that others were still looking for him. He realized he needed to find a means to let them know where he was.
Finding Austin
Rescued
On day eleven, he witnessed something that made his heart skip a beat. He noticed a boat and some kayaks on the river ahead of him. All those people looking for him, whether one step ahead or one step behind, really got to Austin.
Rescued
A Hope
He mustered up every ounce of his strength and yelled at them to pay attention. When the owner of the boat looked up, he immediately realized that they had located Austin and that they would be able to bring him back to safety on their vessel.
A Hope
However, Austin wasn’t the only one who went missing in the woods. Two Pennsylvania teenagers discovered a vehicle in the woods and quickly understood who it belonged to. Please continue reading to learn how they were involved in the case of the missing.
An Ordinary Day
Alec Yanisko, 15, and his 18-year-old friend Joe Delvecchio were having an ordinary day when they decided to go for a fun ride on their ATVs. They were no strangers to the area’s roads and topography since they frequently went out to ride ATVs in the dark. They had no idea this journey would bring something unexpected into their lives.
An Ordinary Day
A Life-Changing Ride
Local hikers and quad riders typically assembled in the woods surrounding Yanisko and Delvecchio’s residences. The lads had been to that location before and anticipated it to be the same this time. They didn’t expect to make a life-changing discovery on the journey. They continued their plans, intending to have a wonderful day doing what they liked the most.
A Life Changing Ride
The Car In the Distance
It didn’t take long for the guys to spot something unusual lurking in the distance as they drove into the woods. When they got closer to the curious item, they discovered it was an abandoned automobile. This, however, was more than simply an abandoned automobile. The lads realized something weird was happening as soon as they saw it. The scene before them had an ominous vibe that they couldn’t ignore.
The Car In The Distance
Strange Vibes
The fact that the freshly discovered automobile was a quarter of a mile from the nearest road piqued the lads’ attention. It seemed unusual to be randomly put so far away from the road. Something was wrong at the scene, piquing the guys’ interest to investigate it further.
Strange Vibes
The Discovery
Yanisko and Delvecchio uncovered another startling discovery upon closer study. As they neared the automobile, they realized it was abandoned and stranded in the middle of the road. This revelation added to the mystery of the setting.
The Discovery
Adventurous Kids
Something incomprehensible compelled the lads to investigate the issue further to uncover evidence that might lead to discovering what had occurred. Even though it was growing dark outside, the guys chose to remain and investigate the abandoned automobile.
Adventurous Kids
Getting Closer
New findings raised new questions that needed to be addressed. The guys discovered several of the car’s windows were broken, and the vehicle was trapped on a log. The fact that no one was near the automobile or in the surrounding area just added to the mystery. Where had the driver gone? Was anyone else in the car with them? What may have compelled them to abandon the car?
Getting Closer
Searching for a Clue
The kids decided to hunt for clues to the person’s identity in the automobile after checking the outside of the vehicle and the surrounding regions. They searched the trunk, the seating area, and the extra compartments for any ID or piece of paper that may serve as a clue.
Searching For A Clue
What Did the Clue Mean
Finally, they discovered a clue that took their inquiry on an entirely new path. They discovered a Sam’s Club retail card belonging to Edwin Kosik. Even tho this was a hint of what they had discovered. The guys had no idea where to go from there. They knew who possessed the card, but they didn’t know if that individual was in the car at the time of the accident or if there was even an accident.
What Did The Clue Mean
A Facebook Search
Their next step was to conduct a fast Facebook search to locate the individual who had the retail card. Finding this individual would lead to discovering additional evidence and information about what had occurred in the woods.
A Facebook Search
Edwin Kosik
The lads offered the largest hint yet after pressing the search button. They undoubtedly discovered vital information regarding Edwin Kosik, but were these findings sufficient to solve the riddle of the abandoned car?
Edwin Kosik
Here’s What They Found
Strangely, the Facebook search yielded a slew of news articles regarding Kosik. According to reports, Edwin Kosik, 92, was a renowned federal judge. The most surprising finding was that Edwin Kosik had been missing for two days. Are they now involved in the investigation? Was the automobile they stumbled across a significant clue in a federal investigation? They were about to discover the truth.
Here’s What They Found
Nowhere To Be Seen
Even though the new information illuminated the issue and made it evident that something was wrong at the scene, the guys had no idea what it all meant. One thing was certain: they were so terrified by their unexpected discovery that they ran home immediately away.
Nowhere To Be Seen
Where’s Edwin
The youngsters tracked down the vehicle, but they were unable to find the missing senior citizen. After all, they were unaware of the importance that the automobile played in the investigation into Edwin Kosik’s disappearance.
Where’s Edwin
The Police Get Involved
Because the lads couldn’t keep their discovery to themselves, they decided to inform their parents about it. The parents promptly contacted the police to initiate an official inquiry. Soon later, the cops arrived and requested the guys to accompany them to the abandoned car, which they readily did. Even the police could not locate the elderly guy in the area where the automobile was recovered.
The Police Get Involved
The Search Begins
“I was afraid,” Yanisko told The Times-Tribune in April 2017. “I didn’t believe they’d find him alive,” he said. A big search team was quickly established to uncover new clues about where the judge may be. The situation gradually deteriorated, and the search became broader than the guys had anticipated. The police used special teams and trained dogs to locate any information that would allow the search to continue.
The Search Begins
Concerns Among the Locals
The town was covered with posters and highway message boards about the missing guy, which worried the residents. “I’m stunned. “I’m really sad because he’s a wonderful man, and we don’t want anything to happen to him,” Georgia Fisch of Madison Township said. Even folks who had never met Edwin were concerned about the issue.
Concerns Among The Locals
Asking People
Georgia Fisch knew Edwin, and she even traveled about town alone in hopes of aiding the inquiry and uncovering any evidence. “I went up Aston Mountain, checking the back roads and whatnot, just to see if he took a bad turn someplace and got lost!” ” She went on to say.
Asking People
It Remains a Mystery
“Communications with the family have shown that Judge Kosik has used medicine to help with memory loss,” police said. US marshals later obtained a probable hint. They verified that a 91-year-old man was observed driving on the Pennsylvania Turnpike into New Jersey.
It Remains A Mystery
FBI
The matter became so bad that the FBI insisted on joining the inquiry. After all, Kosik had been a federal judge in Scranton for almost 30 years and was much respected in the community. There was no doubt in their minds that they wanted to find him.
FBI
New Clues
Following submitting the reports and receipt of this information, the police launched a comprehensive search in the region surrounding Kosik’s last known location. One of the most significant indications in the inquiry was a security film showing judge Kosik walking toward Bill’s ShopRite in Covington Township despite the business being closed. This video was taken the night before he went missing. According to reliable sources, the judge vanished from his residence in Scranton at 1:30 a.m.
New Clues
The Shocking Disappearance
The recent incidents and the abduction of Kosik stunned the Scranton legal community. “We want to know what happened to him,” said Chris Powell, the attorney who fought before Judge Kosik for decades. And, as attorneys, everyone has their point of view. I was just over in court this morning, and it’s on everyone’s mind.” The town was concerned about the issue and prayed for Kosik’s safety. According to the surveillance footage, Kosik was last seen wearing jeans and a blue winter coat in the neighborhood.
The Shocking Disappearance
The Helicopter Search Begins
After consulting with Judge Kosik’s family, US Marshall Martin Payne stated that the police discovered some new information that may have contributed to Kosik’s disappearance. Still, they couldn’t rule out criminal behavior as one of the possible causes. The search for additional evidence continued as police dispatched a helicopter to fly over the Covington Township region. Residents were encouraged to call 911 if they saw anything unusual. Investigators also requested residents to call the police if they had seen Kosik or his automobile before he vanished.
The Helicopter Search Begins
Concerns Over Memory Loss
Kosik’s kid was particularly concerned about the issue. He suspected that his father’s absence was related to his memory loss concerns. Kosik’s son was concerned about the chilly weather and the conditions his father may have been in, assuming that his father just forgot where he was and stepped outdoors alone. The situation gradually deteriorated, and the investigators needed to take action to advance the inquiry. They used all available media outlets to alert the public of the judge’s absence and respectfully requested that any new information be reported. Kosik’s face was plastered all over the screen, but his son wasn’t sure whether this would lead to any fresh leads.
Concerns Over Memory Loss