Marcin Bachleda-Blaszczak, of Lockport, IL, is missing in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. His car and personal belongings were found at Sugarlands Visitor Center, but Marcin was not.

His entire family has traveled from Illinois to Tennessee and is there now, searching for him alongside park rangers, search-and-rescue teams, volunteers and members of the local community.

Marcin has spent his life showing up for other people. Now we need people to show up for him.

Who Marcin Is

Marcin is a son, brother, friend, coworker, and a man of tremendous faith.

He is loving, generous, kind, and the type of person who never hesitates when someone needs help. His family describes him simply:

“He was a light for us.”

If someone was sick, Marcin would show up with vitamin C. If someone was struggling, he would find a way to help.

He has helped people experiencing homelessness, organized food gatherings for people in need, and shared his faith by giving away Bibles and offering encouragement to others.

His faith in God is at the center of his life. Marcin attends Grace Baptist Church in Lockport, IL, and First Baptist Church of Hammond in Hammond, IN.

His coworkers are deeply worried. His churches and community are praying.

And his family is now hundreds of miles from home, doing everything they can to find him.

What Happened

On Friday, August 21, Marcin came home from work, had some pizza, and spent time with his dad.

It was an ordinary Friday night.

He had Saturday off and mentioned that he might go into work anyway.

Instead, Marcin drove to Tennessee and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

His last known location was Sugarlands Visitor Center on Saturday, August 22.

His vehicle was later found in the parking lot. His personal belongings—including his wallet, backpack, journal, an extra pair of shoes and cash—were found.

Marcin was not.

He was reported missing on August 24, and an extensive search has been underway ever since.

His family immediately traveled to Tennessee and is there now searching for him. Park rangers, search-and-rescue personnel, volunteers and members of the surrounding communities are also working to find Marcin.

Every day that passes makes finding him more urgent.

His family isn't leaving him behind. They are determined to bring Marcin home.

You Can Help Right Now

There are two incredibly important ways you can help:

DONATE. Marcin's family has put their lives on hold and traveled to Tennessee to search for him.

Donations will help with lodging, travel, transportation, search-related expenses, community outreach and additional professional resources that may become necessary as the search continues.

The goal is simple: money should never be the reason his family has to stop searching or cannot pursue an opportunity to find him.

SHARE. This may be just as important as donating.

Please put Marcin's face in front of as many people as possible—especially anyone who lives in, works in, or recently visited Gatlinburg, Sugarlands, Great Smoky Mountains National Park or the surrounding communities.

Someone may have seen him.

Someone may remember passing him.

Someone may have a photograph or video from August 22 with Marcin somewhere in the background.

One share could reach the person who knows something.

If you cannot donate, please share this page. Share it with your family, church, coworkers and community groups. Send it directly to anyone you know in Tennessee or who may have visited the Smokies.

And if you are a person of faith, please pray for Marcin, his family, and everyone searching for him.

Marcin has spent so much of his life helping others without expecting anything in return.

Now it's our turn to show up for him.

Marcin has been a light for so many people. Please help us bring that light home.

Missing Person Information

Marcin Bachleda-Blaszczak

From: Lockport, IL

Brown hair • Blue eyes • 5'6" • Approximately 170 lbs.

Last known location: Sugarlands Visitor Center, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Last known there: August 22, 2026

Reported missing: August 24, 2026

If you were at or near Sugarlands Visitor Center at or past 4pm on August 22nd, either leaving or arriving, please check your cellphones, cameras, GoPro's, dashcams and drones for pictures and videos, that might contain footage critical to solving Marcin's disappearance.

Marcin arrived at Sugarlands in a Charcoal Grey 2026 Honda Civic Sport Hybrid sedan. His vehicle was later found in the Sugarlands Visitor Center parking lot.

Even if you don't remember seeing Marcin, your photos or video may have captured him, his vehicle, or something else that could help establish where he went after arriving.

Something that seemed completely ordinary at the time could now be incredibly important.

Please don't assume your photo or video couldn't help. Take a moment and look.

Anyone with information regarding Marcin's whereabouts should immediately contact Great Smoky Mountains National Park authorities. Official contact information is available on the National Park Service missing-person notice for Marcin.