My nephew's wife's nephew (her brother's son) and his car went missing last weekend. He had $40 on him, no credit cards, high grades in High School, and was looking forward to college next year. After extensive searching and dredging lakes in the area the Police and FBI are treating the case as possible foul play. I was told that there is a reward for information to help find him one way or another. Although didn't know him personally, naturally the entire family are in a state of shock that the boy could just vanish. Please keep them in your prayers. Here is the story: More than 100 volunteers combed highways and back roads in Ste. Genevieve and St. Francois counties on Sunday looking for a missing 17-year-old boy. "It's as if he vanished into thin air," said Ste. Genevieve County Sheriff Gary Stolzer. Missing was Wade M. Lurk, a student at Valle High School who lives with his parents and two younger siblings in Ste. Genevieve. He was last seen at a house party early Saturday at the Goose Creek lake development, off Highway Y along the Ste. Genevieve County-St. Francois County border. Stolzer believes Lurk left the party in his car, presumably to go home some 25 miles away, at about 5:30 or 6 a.m. "That's when a security guard at Goose Creek gate saw the car leaving and waved to the driver," Stolzer said. Lurk's cell phone apparently has not been used since his disappearance, according to authorities. His car is a white 1990 Nissan Stanza with Missouri plate number 720WCC. "We've covered every road in Ste. Genevieve County and many of the roads in St. Francois County," Stolzer said Sunday afternoon from the Bloomsdale Volunteer Fire Department, which has become the headquarters for the search effort. "We've distributed hundreds of fliers." Lurk's father, Mike, 42, who was at the fire station, described his oldest child as "easy-going, friendly and outgoing. He's a normal teenager. He likes to play the guitar." Stolzer called the turnout of volunteers "overwhelming, tremendous." Anyone with information should call the Ste. Genevieve County sheriff's office at 573-883-5215 or 573-883-5820.
Just to close the loop on this one, they found Wade last week. His funeral was Thursday and was attended by several thousand people who either knew him or were involved in rescue and recovery efforts trying to find him. It's so sad when a promising young man or woman dies before they had their chance to be all that they can be. The grand kids that won't happen, and so on. They finally found him less than 1/4 mile from where he disappeared. He was not familiar with the area and took a wrong turn on the road out of the area onto a boat ramp and went into the lake. At that point there is a deep drop off. They found him drowned in the back seat, so apparently he went back there for air but couldn't figure out how to get out of the car. Somebody launching their boat noticed a white square down below in the water. After a couple of weeks had passed with not too much rain the water level had dropped a little and clarity improved enough so the top of the car was visible. There had been quite a few donations for the reward to find him which was not claimed. He was attending a very small high school with about 50 in the graduating class, with the attendance getting smaller each year. The money will go to the school and may help keep it running for a few more years. So that is what the familiy can cling to on the positive side. Thanks to all who said a little prayer or two for him.
Mike, we'll still include the whole family in our prayers. The family will need what comfort will come their way. Take care,
Thanks. My nephew was pretty close with Wade. Wade sometimes babysat their three little girls. Nice kid from everything I heard. It's hard to understand why these things happen to good people. They were planning a vacation together in June again to the coast in N Carolina this year which would have been a very happy event. But things can change so fast you would never expect it. Lesson learned for all of us is to enjoy life and each other. Accidents happen and when they do the things that we take for granted are no longer true anymore.
Mike, Haven't been here in a few days. Sorry to hear the news. Will be praying for Wade's family. You are correct about taking things for granted. We need to keep things in perspective. Mark
