TENNERTON – The Buckhannon detachment of the West Virginia State Police is still working to solve a 2012 case involving a missing Upshur County man.
On Friday, May 24, Cpl. V.J. Pyles issued a press release informing the public that law enforcement is still receiving and following leads in the case of 24-year-old Luke Stout, who has been missing since July 18, 2012.
The WVSP is urging anyone with information to come forward and help them crack the case.
The release reads, “On or about July 18, 2012, Luke David Stout was reported missing by his family. Luke was last seen leaving his residence on Hickory Flat Road and has not been seen since.
“The West Virginia State Police continues to follow up on leads and is requesting assistance from the public. The West Virginia State Police is requesting any tips or information which may lead to the case being resolved. The public can contact the West Virginia State Police Buckhannon Detachment at 304-473-4200 or 304-637-0200 with any information.”
According to flier sent out by the WVSP, Stout is 5 feet, 6 inches or 5 feet, 7 inches tall; weighs 120 pounds; and has brown eyes and brown hair.
The flier asks anyone with information to call the Buckhannon detachment at 304-473-4200 or Luke’s mother at 304-472-2141.
Pyles said the Buckhannon detachment issued the release Friday because the seven-year anniversary of Stout’s disappearance is coming up July 18.
“We’re just following up, and it’s coming up on the seven-year anniversary,” Pyles said Friday. “So much time has gone by on this investigation, we want to make sure people know we’re still investigating it.”
Pyles said Stout was last seen July 18, 2012 and was reported missing to the state police July 21, 2012.
Although leads have trickled in over the past seven years, Pyles said they haven’t resulted in any real progress in the case.
“There’s been continuous leads over the past several years, but a lot turned into dead ends and things of that nature,” Pyles said. “It’s been a long time, and we just want to see if anybody still knows anything and see if they’ll come forward.”
Anyone may leave an anonymous tip my calling 304-473-1001 or visiting the WVSP’s website at www.wvsp.gov and selecting the ‘Submit Online Tips’ link.
Pyles said Stout’s disappearance isn’t a cold case.
“It’s not cold when there’s still things to do,” he said. “It would only be a cold case if there were no leads coming in anymore, but we still do get leads. So, if anyone has any information, please pass it along to us.”
