Derek Joseph Lueking - Great Smoky Mountains National Park episode artwork

EPISODE · May 18, 2026 · 57 MIN

Derek Joseph Lueking - Great Smoky Mountains National Park

from Locations Unknown · host Locations Unknown

March 17th, 2012: a 24-year-old leaves a hotel in Cherokee, North Carolina, before dawn and drives into Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Hours later, his Ford Escape is found with his wallet, keys, cash, and survival gear still inside. A short note says, “Don’t follow me.” Search teams, helicopters, K-9 units, and volunteers scour the Appalachian Trail corridor, steep drainages, and dense off-trail terrain, but find nothing. No clothing, no gear, no trace. Join us this week as we investigate the baffling disappearance of Derek Joseph Lueking.Learn more about Locations Unknown: https://linktr.ee/LocationsUnknownCheck out our other shows on the Unknown Media Network:Crime Off The GridOff The TrailsHike N' Seek Who Runs This ParkRelishNew Patreon Shoutouts: Gwen PickloGet 35% of all orders at The Hiker's Cache, the official store of Locations Unknown, by becoming a member on Patreon!Want to help the show out and get even more Locations Unknown content!  For as little as $5 a month, you can become a Patron of Locations Unknown and get access to our episodes early, special members only episode, free swag, swag contests, and discounts to our Locations Unknown Store!  Become a Patron of the Locations Unknown Podcast by visiting our Patreon page.  (https://www.patreon.com/locationsunknown)  All our Patreon only content (Audio & Video) can now be accessed via Spotify.  (Active subscription to our Patreon channel is required.) -- Locations Unknown Subscriber Only Show | Podcast on Spotify  Want to call into the show and leave us a message?  Now you can!  Call 208-391-6913 and leave Locations Unknown a voice message and we may air it on a future message! View live recordings of the show on our YouTube channel: Locations Unknown - YouTubeView Epispode Sources (Coming Soon)Presented by Unknown Media Group.Hosts:Mike Van de Bogert Joe EratoIntro/Outro “Cornfield Chase” – Cinematic Waves & Rafael Krux (licensed) → https://soundcloud.com/cinematicwav3s/cornfield-chaseBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/locations-unknown--6183838/support.

March 17th, 2012: a 24-year-old leaves a hotel in Cherokee, North Carolina, before dawn and drives into Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Hours later, his Ford Escape is found with his wallet, keys, cash, and survival gear still inside. A short note says, “Don’t follow me.” Search teams, helicopters, K-9 units, and volunteers scour the Appalachian Trail corridor, steep drainages, and dense off-trail terrain, but find nothing. No clothing, no gear, no trace. Join us this week as we investigate the baffling disappearance of Derek Joseph Lueking.Learn more about Locations Unknown: https://linktr.ee/LocationsUnknownCheck out our other shows on the Unknown Media Network:Crime Off The GridOff The TrailsHike N' Seek Who Runs This ParkRelishNew Patreon Shoutouts: Gwen PickloGet 35% of all orders at The Hiker's Cache, the official store of Locations Unknown, by becoming a member on Patreon!Want to help the show out and get even more Locations Unknown content!  For as little as $5 a month, you can become a Patron of Locations Unknown and get access to our episodes early, special members only episode, free swag, swag contests, and discounts to our Locations Unknown Store!  Become a Patron of the Locations Unknown Podcast by visiting our Patreon page.  (https://www.patreon.com/locationsunknown)  All our Patreon only content (Audio & Video) can now be accessed via Spotify.  (Active subscription to our Patreon channel is required.) -- Locations Unknown Subscriber Only Show | Podcast on Spotify  Want to call into the show and leave us a message?  Now you can!  Call 208-391-6913 and leave Locations Unknown a voice message and we may air it on a future message! View live recordings of the show on our YouTube channel: Locations Unknown - YouTubeView Epispode Sources (Coming Soon)Presented by Unknown Media Group.Hosts:Mike Van de Bogert Joe EratoIntro/Outro “Cornfield Chase” – Cinematic Waves & Rafael Krux (licensed) → https://soundcloud.com/cinematicwav3s/cornfield-chaseBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/locations-unknown--6183838/support.

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Derek Joseph Lueking - Great Smoky Mountains National Park

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This episode is 57 minutes long.

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This episode was published on May 18, 2026.

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March 17th, 2012: a 24-year-old leaves a hotel in Cherokee, North Carolina, before dawn and drives into Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Hours later, his Ford Escape is found with his wallet, keys, cash, and survival gear still inside. A short...

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