! MISSING - Derek Lueking - truck found @ Newfound Gap !

[MyName1sMud]

^^^ wow that was a long read.

hope they find him alright but it sounds like to me.... he doesn't want to be found.

[dieharddeadzombie]

the same thing happened about this time last year about the same place too. two fellows David Harrington and Christopher Cessna. I live right down the road from where this is going on and its a tourist area so they dont like bad news scarring away the money so ill say it there seems to be a trend

[WIAPilot]

This seems to be a lot more than a lost or abducted hiker. News reports say that although Derek purchased a tent and sleeping bag and maps, these items were left in his abandoned truck along with a note that read, "Don't try to find me."

If this is indeed a troubled young man who simply wants to "disappear," it is wrong of him to waste valuable park and volunteer resources if he isn't even on the trail. Because then when a hiker truly IS missing or has met with foul play, less volunteers get involved. It seems unlikely that he is on the trail given that he did not take his equipment. If he is still alive, he should at least have the decency and courage to contact his parents through a phone call; through email or a letter to let them know that at least he is safe. It is cowardly to do otherwise.

[GritsNgreens]

Doen't seem likely that they would. One is from Nashville and the other from Louisville. One was last seen in Cherokee and the other last seen in Gatlinburg. Cars were found 10 miles apart from each other.

You never know, with the internet and all sorts of chat rooms seems pretty easy for 2 like minded individuals to get together, either way prayers go out to both men and their families

[wteason2]

[QUOTE]While a limited search for Derek Lueking and Michael Cocchini will continue, full-scale searches have ended, park officials say.[\QUOTE]

http://www.nationalparkstraveler.com...caled-back9666

What a shame... I saw the "missing person" signs when I went hiking on the Lakeshore Trail around Easter. I hate to see that they weren't found.

[wteason2]

Apparently I'm bad at quotes...

and I just noticed the Quote button.

[Wise Old Owl]

Did this ever get solved?

[verasch]

Did this ever get solved?

According to this article ( http://www2.tricities.com/news/2012/...ng-ar-1927672/), it doesn't seem to be solved.

The Facebook page has posts of his mother updated last on July 3. They're rather depressing to read, and my heart goes out to her.