Final Victim of Hurricane Helene Discovered in Tennessee, Two Years Later

WHO:

CNN - Nancy Tucker, 76, and her husband Jimmy Tucker were victims of Hurricane Helene.

CNN - Susan Saylor is a spokesperson for the Washington County Sheriff’s Department.

CNN - Risa Buck is a family spokesperson for the Tuckers.

CNN - James Matthews is associated with the Washington County-Johnson City Emergency Medical Service.

WHAT:

CNN - The remains of Nancy Tucker were found two years after Hurricane Helene.

CNN - Hurricane Helene killed more than 250 people and caused nearly $80 billion in damage.

CNN - Rains of up to 30 inches turned streams into torrents, moving trees, boulders, homes, and vehicles.

CNN - Search crews logged over 400 miles walking through the search area for Nancy Tucker.

CNN - Debris piles reached up to 40 feet high and contained cars and large propane tanks.

CNN - The final identification of Nancy Tucker's remains was made by a medical examiner.

WHERE:

CNN - The flooding occurred in rural Washington County, northeastern Tennessee.

CNN - The search area was narrowed down to Jackson Island in the Cherokee National Forest.

WHEN:

CNN - Nancy and Jimmy Tucker disappeared on September 27, 2024.

CNN - Jimmy Tucker's body was recovered within a couple of days after the storm.

CNN - Nancy Tucker's remains were discovered on a Saturday, with removal continuing into Sunday evening.

CNN - The final identification of Nancy Tucker's remains was made on a Monday afternoon.

WHY:

CNN - The search for Nancy Tucker was motivated by a vow from Washington County Sheriff Keith Sexton to recover every missing person after the storm.

HOW:

CNN - Search crews faced physical and bureaucratic hurdles, including restrictions on using heavy equipment due to the area being federal land and containing Native American burial sites.

CNN - Local responders had to wait for federal government action to award a contract for debris removal.

(UPDATED September 17, 2026 14:00 UTC)

The remains of Nancy Tucker were found two years after Hurricane Helene devastated rural Washington County in northeastern Tennessee, where the storm killed more than 250 people and caused nearly $80 billion in damage. Search crews logged over 400 miles in their efforts to locate Nancy, facing challenges due to restrictions on heavy equipment in the area, which is federal land and contains Native American burial sites. The final identification of her remains was confirmed by a medical examiner after a thorough search that was motivated by a commitment from Washington County Sheriff Keith Sexton to recover every missing person following the storm.