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Derek Lueking
Missing
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Appalachian Unsolved: Derek Lueking, missing in the Smokies
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Derek Lueking, 24, was last seen on March 17, 2012, after checking out of the Microtel Inn and Suites in Cherokee, North Carolina, at around 4:00 a.m. He was believed to have headed into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, as his white Ford Escape was found later that morning at Newfound Gap, near the Tennessee-North Carolina state line. Inside the vehicle, authorities discovered several survival items, including a tent, sleeping bag, knife sharpener, and parachute cord, alongside a note th ...Read More
Last Seen: Mar 17, 2012
Last Seen: Mar 17, 2012
Links to Additional Sources (10)
See any mistakes?Victim Details
Apr 09, 2012
Jun 12, 2018
Derek
Lueking
37
24
70 inches
72 inches
215 lbs
225 lbs
White / Caucasian
Male
Mar 17, 2012
Cherokee
North Carolina
Swain County
28719
288
11641
National park Service
Cherokee
North Carolina
,
12-1076
2012-03-17
National park Service
Brown
Hazel
Hazel
12/03/2025
Area Last Seen:
Forum Posts (3)
Did anyone else notice how eerie it is that Derek's note simply said, "Don’t follow me"? It almost... ...Read More
10/18/2024
10/18/2024
I've been following Derek Lueking's case for a while, and something that sticks out to me is the det... ...Read More
07/16/2024
07/16/2024
Has anyone looked into the specific spot where Derek's car was found, Newfound Gap? It's a pretty po... ...Read More
04/24/2023
04/24/2023
