According to the Asheville Citizen-Times, Derek Lueking left behind a note in his SUV asking that no one look for him, along with a sleeping bag and tent he bought only a day or two before he disappeared.
A security camera at the Microtel Inn in Cherokee caught Lueking checking out at 4 a.m. Saturday, the same day the search began. He was wearing a dark-colored day pack but was alone.
This is why I couldn’t ever be on a search team…because I’d just be like, “well, OK then, dude. you’re on your own and I’m going for a beer.”