Update: Biltmore Estate continues trails shutdown, adds closures after high winds, deaths
ASHEVILLE - Biltmore Estate has extended its closure of trails and added more temporary shutdowns after continued high wind forecasts, a measure taken after recent deaths from falling trees.
The world-renowned tourist destination near Asheville extended the shutdowns from May 2 to May 3.
Spokesperson LeeAnn Donnelly said the closures were made "out of an abundance of caution" and as estate officials "navigate changing weather forecasts."
May 3 Biltmore closures
Closed 11 a.m.-5 p.m.: wooded trails, paths and outdoor activities.
Closed all day: the "Italian Renaissance Alive" exhibition, specialty tours and Outdoor Adventure Center Activities.
Ticket holders are being offered refunds or the option to transfer ticket dates, she said.
Donnelly said the closures also apply to workers.
The recent steps were taken after the April 1 death of employee Jerrilyn Musachia, which was being investigated by the North Carolina Department of Labor, and the June 17, 2022, death of visitor Casey Skudin, whose wife is suing the estate for wrongful death.
More: Biltmore death: Labor department investigates tree-fall accident; report names victim
More: FDNY firefighter falling tree death lawsuit proceeds
Donnelly did not respond to a question about the closure's connection to falling trees and the fatalities or whether Biltmore had covered Musachia's funeral expenses.
Biltmore passholders and others have received different messages about closures. The night of May 2, they were told the entire estate would be closed the next day until 4 p.m. But that was adjusted with a change to the forecast, Donnelly said.
The National Weather Service is calling for winds of around 24 mph, with gusts as high as 39 mph.
The lawsuit, filed July 2022 in Buncombe County Superior Court by Angela Skudin, of New York, alleges gross negligence by the estate in its maintenance of a tree that fell and killed her husband, 45-year-old New York Fire Department firefighter Casey Skudin. The Skudins were visiting the Biltmore with their two children to celebrate Casey's 46th birthday and Father's Day, the Citizen Times previously reported. They were driving on the main entrance road when an American beech tree hit their rented minivan.
More: Wrongful death lawsuit: Widow of FDNY firefighter killed by Biltmore Estate tree sues
More: Biltmore hotel: not responsible for tree that killed FDNY firefighter; seeks dismissal
A Buncombe County clerk has given the estate until June 5 to respond to a request for discovery, the pretrial process where both sides in a legal dispute share information.
Musachia, 66, was found by emergency responders trapped under a large, intact tree that had uprooted and fallen over, according to an Asheville Fire Department incident report. She had no vital signs, according to the report. She was alone and it was unclear from witnesses how long she had been pinned, according to the AFD narrative.
More: Asheville Fire Department Chief Scott Burnette to retire after 14 years in role
Musachia was at 605 Approach Road, the report said. The road is the main entrance road to the estate. A Google search puts the 605 address as the Biltmore House.
Donnelly has said the tree was a "healthy native hemlock tree" that was regularly maintained and uprooted by wind gusts. A report from the labor department is expected in five months.
Joel Burgess has lived in WNC for more than 20 years, covering politics, government and other news. He's written award-winning stories on topics ranging from gerrymandering to police use of force. Got a tip? Contact Burgess at jburgess@citizentimes.com, 828-713-1095 or on Twitter @AVLreporter. Please help support this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Biltmore Estate adds to closures; high winds in Asheville, deaths
