NC NC - Derek Lueking, 24, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 17 March 2012

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He may have more information with him than a lot of people think. He did not take his phone, but he does have an ipod. There could be many survival books and plant and animal identification on there, plus a camera, journal etc. It could be easily charged with either a hand crank usb generator or small solar panel. The small hand crank would also include a flashlight and radio, and it could charge a headlamp. Normally an ipod is synched with a computer and it would not be too difficult to find out what kind of books or maps he has on it. Some people are on the trails for months, but they normally let their family know. I do hope he is ok and is located soon or gets word to his family that he is going to be gone for awhile. He is an adult and is responsible for his own choices but the note he left was very confusing and concerning for his family.
 
Bythebook said:
He may have more information with him than a lot of people think. He did not take his phone, but he does have an ipod. There could be many survival books and plant and animal identification on there, plus a camera, journal etc. It could be easily charged with either a hand crank usb generator or small solar panel. The small hand crank would also include a flashlight and radio, and it could charge a headlamp. Normally an ipod is synched with a computer and it would not be too difficult to find out what kind of books or maps he has on it. Some people are on the trails for months, but they normally let their family know. I do hope he is ok and is located soon or gets word to his family that he is going to be gone for awhile. He is an adult and is responsible for his own choices but the note he left was very confusing and concerning for his family.
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agreed, but in all fairness he's been gone for a year. even as far south as he disappeared, those winters are really tough.
 
Old cases always considered open until answers found

Dennis Lloyd Martin, Trenny Lynn Gibson and Derek Joseph Lueking — the three names represent separate open cases that began when their loved ones called Great Smoky Mountains National Park rangers to report them missing.

Rangers immediately began search-and-rescue missions — missions that would never turn up any sign.

Park spokeswoman Molly Schroer said any case is considered open until there is a determination of what happened.

“Like with the Derek Lueking case, they’ve never located him and it is still considered an open case,” she said. “If a lead comes up, we look into it.”

More: http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/jun/23/old-cases-always-considered-open-until-answers/
 
Hope he's out there somewhere enjoying the beautiful mountains and all nature has to offer! Praying for his family!!!
 
Derek's mentioned in this Citizen-Times article from July 2015.

But in 2012, the park handled two lengthy searches. One missing man, Derek Lueking, was never found.

"The search for missing people is always challenging and different from the western parks," said Marc Eckert, a law enforcement ranger in the Smokies.
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perfectingpink said:
Family is still looking for Derek and actively posting on his missing FB page. My heart goes out to his family and friends!

The original namus link is not working. Here is the new one.
https://www.findthemissing.org/en/cases/14466/2/
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I join others in hoping and praying that answers come soon.

When I opened the namus link and saw the photo of Derek it is evident that he has a great and kind personality - it shines through in the photograph.

Sending prayers of hope and comfort to Derek's family. Please know that you are never alone as many people care about you and your son and are hoping for a good outcome.
 
Derek Lueking
Reported missing after he didn't show up for work March 15, 2012. Lueking, 24, of Louisville, Tenn., was known to be a fan of survivalist star Bear Grylls. Rangers found his vehicle in the Newfound Gap parking lot with a handwritten note on the dash asking no one come looking for him.

Mysteries of the Smokies: Five missing people never found
 
Name: Derek J. Lueking

Missing from: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Date Missing: March 17, 2012

Description: Lueking was 24 years old at the time he went missing. White male, 5'11" tall, 220 pounds, green eyes, brown hair, short beard. Last seen wearing black track pants, white tennis shoes. Possibly had Real-tree camouflage rain gear with him and a small dark-colored day pack.

Case Info: Lueking was last seen leaving the Microtel Hotel on March 3, 2012, in Cherokee, North Carolina. His car was found parked in the lower lot of Newfound Gap at the North Carolina-Tennessee state line. Lueking's direction of travel from Newfound Gap is unknown.

Cold Cases - Investigative Services (U.S. National Park Service)

MP_Lueking.jpg
 
New Charley Project Link: Derek Joseph Lueking – The Charley Project

  • derek_joseph_lueking_9.jpg
  • derek_joseph_lueking_13.jpg

Lueking, circa 2012; Lueking's tattoo

  • Missing Since03/17/2012
  • Missing FromCherokee, North Carolina
  • ClassificationEndangered Missing
  • SexMale
  • RaceWhite
  • Date of Birth05/13/1987 (33)
  • Age24 years old
  • Height and Weight5'10 - 6'0, 215 - 225 pounds
  • Clothing/Jewelry DescriptionA gray hooded sweatshirt, dark-colored track pants with a white stripe down the side of each leg, dark-colored sneakers and possibly a waterproof watch. Possibly carrying camouflage-print Realtree rain gear and a black or dark blue bookbag-type day pack.
  • Distinguishing CharacteristicsCaucasian male. Brown hair, hazel eyes. Lueking's nickname is Drock and he may go by his initials, DJ. He had a half-inch beard at the time of his disappearance and he may wear prescription eyeglasses with metal rims for diving. He has stretch marks on his lower back and a tattoo of Japanese characters meaning "live" or "life" on his left upper chest. A photo of the tattoo is posted with this case summary.
Details of Disappearance
Lueking was last seen leaving the Microtel Inn and Suites in Cherokee, North Carolina at 4:00 a.m. on March 17, 2012. He has never been heard from again.

His white Ford Escape was found at the Newfound Gap area in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park near the Tennessee/North Caroline state line at 8:30 a.m., but no one recalled having seen Lueking himself at the park, and his family had been trying to find him since before he would have arrived there. Inside the vehicle was a note saying simply: "Don't follow me."

Lueking had purchased maps of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a sleeping bag and a tent, as well as the following supplies: a Gerber ax, part of a military survival manual, a knife sharpener, a Coleman combination compass and thermometer, 100 feet of black paracute cord, a headlamp, a pocket knife, granola bars, an iPod pouch, and a Bear Grylls survival tool pack including a small flashlight, a fire starter and a multi-tool. He left many of these items in his car, however, including the tent and sleeping bag.

Lueking was born in northern Virginia. He graduated from Johnson University and previously worked as an aide for the Peninsula Behavioral Health Center in Tennessee.

His family stated he was an avid camper and a fan of a survival television show, and they think he may have gone into the park intentionally to spend some time alone. The circumstances of his disappearance are unclear and his case remains unsolved.
 
Bumping up case. Does his family believe he left that note in his car? I hope answers still come very soon for them. Hard to understand why he didn't even try out his camping equipment, no matter his intentions. I wonder if he intended to camp for awhile, had the note ready to leave in a visible place once he set out, went first for a day-hike (perhaps to explore), and met with some misadventure. Sad case - he looks like a friendly person.
 
Missing person: Derek J Lueking
Missing person: Derek J Lueking
NPS image

Name: Derek J. Lueking

Missing from: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Date Missing: March 17, 2012

Description: Lueking was 24 years old at the time he went missing. White male, 5'11" tall, 220 pounds, green eyes, brown hair, short beard. Last seen wearing black track pants, white tennis shoes. Possibly had Real-tree camouflage rain gear with him and a small dark-colored day pack.

Case Info: Lueking was last seen leaving the Microtel Hotel on March 3, 2012, in Cherokee, North Carolina. His car was found parked in the lower lot of Newfound Gap at the North Carolina-Tennessee state line. Lueking's direction of travel from Newfound Gap is unknown.
www.nps.gov

Cold Cases - Investigative Services (U.S. National Park Service)

Please scroll through this roster of cold cases, which include missing persons, accidents or crimes in the National Parks that have yet to be solved and have no active leads.
www.nps.gov www.nps.gov
 
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