Derek Joseph Lueking - Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Derek Joseph Lueking - Great Smoky Mountains National Park

From Locations Unknown by Locations Unknown

May 18, 2026 · 58 min · Episode 172

About this episode

The episode investigates the mysterious disappearance of Derek Joseph Lueking in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

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/LocationsUnknown Check out our other shows on the Unknown Media Network: Crime Off The Grid Off The Trails Hike N' Seek Who Runs This Park Relish New Patreon Shoutouts: Gwen Picklo Get 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…

People in this episode

Host: Locations Unknown

Topics covered

  • disappearance
  • true crime
  • investigation
  • national parks
  • mystery

Keywords

  • disappearance
  • Great Smoky Mountains
  • Derek Joseph Lueking
  • Cherokee
  • true crime

Mentioned in this episode

Places: Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Cherokee, North Carolina

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