Dead hiker may have ties to New York state

By MIKE LYNCH

The Collier County Sheriff’s Office in Florida is looking for help identifying a hiker who was found dead in Noble’s Campground in Big Cypress National Preserve on July 23.

The man, whose death isn’t considered suspicious, may have ties to New York state. He was an Appalachian Trail hiker who trekked from New York to Florida. He used the alias Ben Bilemy to register at several hostels along the way.  He also went by the trail names Denim and Mostly Harmless.

He is described as being 35 to 50 years old, 5 feet 8 inches tall and 83 pounds with salt and pepper hair and beard. He had blue/gray eyes and his teeth were in excellent condition. He was wearing a beige shirt and green shorts. He had black Salomon hiking boots and black and copper Outdoor Products hiking poles.

He was found in a two-person yellow Brooks-Range Mountaineering brand, Foray model tent. There were no obvious injuries and the death does not appear suspicious from a criminal perspective, according to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office.

Anyone with information about the man’s identity is asked to call the Collier County Sheriff’s Office at 239-252-9300.