! MISSING - Derek Lueking - truck found @ Newfound Gap !
Posted an hour ago on Facebook by his family - please message Sheila Lueking with any information.
Formerly 'F-Stop'
If you don't like the road you're walking, start paving another one.
~ Dolly Parton
How long has he been missing?
Sure this isn't just a hiker not telling anyone where he's going and when he'll be back? Hopefully that's all it is.
Did the family contact GSMNP HQ? I don't see a notice on their website.
"Chainsaw" GA-ME 2011
who cares, as long as there's free ice cream...
To be honest, I'm not sure. I just supposed that since they were concerned enough to seek out the Appalachian Trail forum on Facebook, it meant this wasn't a matter of the dude's cell being out of range. Will update when I get a reply back from his family.
Formerly 'F-Stop'
If you don't like the road you're walking, start paving another one.
~ Dolly Parton
More info - the gentleman was reported missing Thursday the 15th - was last seen at a hotel in Cherokee before sunrise Saturday morning, and has not been seen since.
"Search for missing person
-- GIVE INFO IF YOU CAN --
Rangers at Great Smoky Mountains National Park have been searching for Derek Joseph Leuking, 24, of Louisville, TN who was reported missing by co-workers and family members on Thursday, March 15. Leuking was reportedly last seen at 4:00 a.m. Saturday, March 17 at the Microtell Hotel in Cherokee, NC. The subject’s white Ford Escape was located Saturday morning at the Newfound Gap Parking Area in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Since that time Rangers have searched over 40 miles of the Appalachian Trail and other connecting trails radiating out from Newfound Gap, but have not found any conclusive signs of Leuking. He was believed to be carrying a dark colored daypack, but not a tent or sleeping bag for overnight use. The subject is described as a white male, 5’11” tall, 220 pounds with short brown hair and a short beard. He is believed to be wearing black track pants, white tennis shoes and may have had a Realtree camouflage rain suit.
Rangers ask that anyone who may have seen Leuking either inside the Park or elsewhere since Saturday morning call the Park’s Communication Center at (865) 436-1230."
Formerly 'F-Stop'
If you don't like the road you're walking, start paving another one.
~ Dolly Parton
Park rangers are still searching.
"Chainsaw" GA-ME 2011
who cares, as long as there's free ice cream...
There are currently 3 dog teams on the with Park Rangers, one team is the one I am affiliated with. We are working with NCSARDA, waiting for info from them.
Doesn't sound right... This thread could turn out badly.
What do you mean? You mean he could turn up dead, or you mean that this thread could dissolve into misinformation and arguments (as seems to happen)?Originally Posted by Capt Nat
Formerly 'F-Stop'
If you don't like the road you're walking, start paving another one.
~ Dolly Parton
Update
Still no sign. Park Rangers say they've still not had any clues. Search expands...
http://www.volunteertv.com/home/head...143557256.html
When you get to those unexpected situations in life where it’s difficult to figure something out, just ask yourself, “What would MacGyver do?”
See ya!
Rickles McPickles
prayers go out to this guy, hopefully this is just a case of a person being fed up with the world and deciding to just disappear for a while.
One of the articles I read said they found some clues during the search including a note in his car. They are not releasing details about the clues.
http://www.wbir.com/news/article/212002/2/Search-continues-for-missing-man-in-Smokies
"Chainsaw" GA-ME 2011
who cares, as long as there's free ice cream...
This is starting to sound like it might not turn out well.
http://www.nps.gov/applications/morningreport/
"Investigation revealed that the 23-year-old operator was believed to be despondent."
"Chainsaw" GA-ME 2011
who cares, as long as there's free ice cream...
More local news: http://www.thedailytimes.com/Local_N...says-id-021872
His family is now at Newfound Gap from the Washington, DC area. The note mentioned did not state an itinerary, but all the search teams are looking at sites north, east or west of the Newfound Gap parking area which is located where TN 441 crosses the AT near Gatlinburg, TN.
There are two people missing - one is a despondent 23 yo man - no photos released yet - and the other is 24 yo Derek Lueking, who was the original missing person in this thread. Both left vehicles at the Newfound Gap parking lot.
http://www.wbir.com/news/article/212...men-in-Smokies
Hope he's okay.
"Fish Camp Woman.... Baby, I like the way you smell"
- Unknown Hinson
Got details now on second missing person:
http://www.wate.com/story/17211001/s...-great-smokies
17211001_BG1.jpg
I wonder if they knew each other?
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.
I dream of hiking into my old age. ~Marlyn Doan
Busy SAR week..............notes in cars not good, when I served on a SAR those never turned out well. Sad stuff.
http://www.smokymountainnews.com/com...ains-a-mystery
Still missing.
"Chainsaw" GA-ME 2011
who cares, as long as there's free ice cream...
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