Lone Helene victim found weeks before two-year anniversary

The remains of Nancy Tucker — the last missing person in Washington County as a result of Hurricane Helene — were found Saturday within the debris on Jackson Island nearly two years after the disaster, according to local first responder agencies. Medical examiners confirmed Tucker's identity Monday evening. Cleanup operations on the island were immediately suspended once the remains were found, according to a Washington County and Johnson City Emergency Management Agency press release. Nate Brock, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District project manager said the onsite team at the time of the discovery included the Mid-Atlantic Tree Service site supervisor and equipment operator, an archaeologist and the DRC project manager, along with other staff. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers awarded a $33.7 million contract to DRC Emergency Services for the cleanup of the more than 60 acres of federal land located within the Cherokee National Forest. "Debris removal began Sept. 9 in the area of Jackson Island where the remains were suspected to be located," Brock said in an email statement. "Before work began, the project team identified several areas of interest based on K-9 reconnaissance." Brock said the debris cleanup is still on schedule to meet the contract completion date on March 23, 2027 and no time extensions have been made. Tucker was last seen on Sept. 27, 2024, the day Hurricane Helene hit East Tennessee, western North Carolina and Southwest Virginia. Nancy, along with her husband, Jimmy, lived close to Jackson Bridge in southwest Washington County. Jimmy's body was found just days later. The discovery of Tucker's remains comes just weeks before the two-year anniversary of one of the greatest catastrophes to hit the region.