A body has been discovered in the Bucegi Mountains of Romania during the search for a British teenager who went missing in November. George Smyth, 18, from Newport, Shropshire, vanished while on a solo hiking trip. His disappearance was reported after he made an emergency call stating he was exhausted and suffering from hypothermia.
Rescue teams resumed their search in June in Valea Giganesti, the area where Smyth was believed to have been last seen. The initial search operation, which took place shortly after his disappearance, was halted due to heavy snowfall and difficult conditions. Smyth, a geology student at the University of Bristol, had not informed his parents of his hiking plans.
Avon and Somerset Police confirmed that a body had been found as part of the search. Although formal identification is pending, authorities in Romania believe the body to be that of George Smyth. His family has been notified and is receiving support.
In a statement, Smyth's family expressed their devastation, describing him as "the best of us" and noting he is deeply missed by his brothers, family, and friends. They extended their gratitude to Salvamont Mountain Rescue for their persistent efforts since November, despite dangerous conditions, and for maintaining communication throughout the ordeal. The family also thanked Avon and Somerset Police and the University of Bristol.
"Although this latest news is incredibly painful, the torture of waiting is finally over, so we can now focus on bringing George home and saying goodbye," the family said, requesting privacy during their time of grief. An autopsy is scheduled to confirm the identity of the body.
Rescuers had previously indicated that Smyth's last known location was in a remote and hard-to-access mountainous region. He reportedly set off from Poiana Brasov with the intention of reaching Bran, a village known for Bran Castle, associated with the Dracula legend. Information gathered suggested he reached the Tiganesti valley, where he contacted emergency services.
The routes connecting his intended start and end points involve long, forested trails that ascend sharply into high alpine areas, which can become treacherous during late autumn cold snaps. Smyth had crossed the Diham-Tache Ionescu area before encountering severe weather. The emergency call was placed from an altitude of over 6,562 feet.
His parents were able to track his phone, discovering the location from which he called for help. Search teams located his backpack in the same area shortly after the call, but no further trace of Smyth was found during the initial search. His mother stated that he left university in the UK on a Sunday without their knowledge for the solo hike. The family had acknowledged the likelihood of his death in January, stating their hope to bring him home when the mountains allowed.