VA VA - Thomas Duesterhaus, 37, Virginia Beach, 17 June 2011

Authorities continue to search for a missing McLean man.

Thomas Duesterhaus voluntarily left his Carlin Lane, McLean, home on June 17 and was “distraught,” police said.

The 37-year-old English teacher and youth minister had just found out his teaching contract at Bishop O'Connell wasn't renewed. The family says they learned it wasn't a criminal matter but didn't know much else. They're worried he's devastated.

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After learning his contract would not be renewed, Duesterhaus went to Virginia Beach on a religious mission. An eyewitness told police she saw him swim into the ocean. Police found his travel bag on the beach 12 hours later. That was more than a week ago.

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His car is a 1999 blue Buick Lesabre. Police also say he likes to frequent "parks and [homeless] shelters." Officer Bud Walker says Duesterhaus has no history of mental illness. A bio available on a website says Duesterhaus has made "lifetime promises of poverty, chastity, and obedience" as a member of a Catholic group called the ”Youth Apostles Institute."

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Update 12:57 a.m. June 23: Some of Tom Duesterhaus' personal property has been found in a bag on Virginia Beach, according to one of his relatives, who posted a Facebook plea for help on Wednesday night.

Duesterhaus was supposed to start a four-day retreat in Virginia Beach on Monday, the relative said.

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Another flyer circulated by a friend of Duesterhaus reports him last being seen early Saturday on the beach near the Country Inn & Suites at 1801 Atlantic Ave. Police said they could not confirm that information.

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If you know where Thomas Duesterhaus is or have any information about this case call the Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131.

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Duesterhaus, who has been missing since June 17, was last seen in Virginia Beach. According to relatives, Duesterhaus was supposed to start a four-day retreat June 20 in Virginia Beach.

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Tom Duesterhaus grew up in the Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C., the sixth of eight children. He graduated from The College of William & Mary in 1995 with a B.A. in English, and received an M.A. in English from George Mason University in 2008. He began teaching in 1996, and in 1999 returned to his high school, Bishop O'Connell, where he continues to teach English and creative writing. Tom is also a member of the Youth Apostles Institute, a Catholic community of men that works with young people in parishes, college campuses, schools, and other settings. He lives in their community house in McLean, Virginia, and has made lifetime promises of poverty, chastity, and obedience.

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egs said:

I live in the area and would like to assist in the search for this man. How would I go about doing that?

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In an outpouring of love and support for Tom Duesterhaus, a lay consecrated Youth Apostle missing since mid-June, more than 200 friends, family, former students and coworkers attended a Mass Tuesday night at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Vienna.

Youth Apostle Father Jack Peterson, director of the Youth Apostles, was the primary celebrant of the Mass, and noted in his homily the confusion brought on by Tom’s disappearance.

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