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WASHINGTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) — Almost a year after Hurricane Helene, the search continues for one person who was never found.
Nancy Tucker and her husband Jim, residing near the Jackson Bridge in Washington County, went missing during the flood. Jim was located a few days post-flood, yet Nancy has not been found.
Family members of the Tuckers are still holding out hope that Nancy’s body will be found.
Johnny Horton, Nancy and Jim Tucker’s nephew, said Nancy being out there is still hard to believe.
“I think about that a lot. It’s hard to acknowledge because when you hear about such tragedies on the news—people going missing, and their loved ones not found for years—it’s heartbreaking, and you empathize with those families,” Horton expressed. “You never imagine it could happen to you, but it has, and it’s unbelievable that our loved one is still missing.”
Horton recalled the day of the flood and said that morning he was on the phone with Nancy.
“The water was already up to her husband’s waist. Jim’s in the driveway and when she told me that, I knew they were in trouble,” Horton said.
Horton said he still thinks about his aunt all the time and that she will never be forgotten.
“I know the anniversary is approaching the year mark, but each day feels like another anniversary of their absence,” Horton said. “It’s not merely a year; it’s every day that they are in our thoughts and missed deeply. They were integral to our family and continue to be in our hearts.”
After months of searching and now nearing a year, Horton said he is still in contact with Lt. Chambers of Washington County-Johnson City EMS.
News Channel 11 interviewed Evan Clyburn, the director of the Washington County Emergency Management Agency, on Wednesday. He stated that they continue efforts to find Nancy and provide the family with closure.
“We are still striving for that, working to bring closure, and collaborating with our law enforcement partners on their end,” Clyburn explained. “Regarding search and rescue, we’re coordinating with fire and EMS teams. Currently, we’ve directed some efforts towards federally owned lands, coordinating with the Forestry Service and federal agencies to expedite the process.”
Horton hopes that his aunt’s body will be found and that proper closure will be brought to his family.